Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming NBA season, not only for the games themselves but also for a new way to watch local games. Both teams are parting ways with their regional sports networks owned by Diamond Sports, according to a recent bankruptcy court filing. The NBA season is gearing up to start on October 22nd, but fans are left in the dark regarding where they can catch their favorite teams in action.
Despite the lack of public announcements from either franchise about their new broadcasting arrangements, both the Mavericks and Pelicans have had a history of showcasing their games on local television stations. The Pelicans, in particular, seem to have secured a deal with Gray Television to broadcast their games this season, according to inside sources. However, representatives from Gray and the Pelicans have chosen to remain tight-lipped on the specifics of the agreement.
During the previous season, the Pelicans aired 10 of their games on Gray Television’s local stations, while the Mavericks – who made it to the NBA Finals – had a 13-game agreement with Tegna’s Dallas-Fort Worth stations. Both the Mavericks and Tegna have refrained from commenting on who will be broadcasting their games this season, leaving fans wondering where they can tune in to catch the action.
The Mavericks and Pelicans join a list of teams opting to move their regular-season games away from Diamond-owned regional sports networks, which fall under the Bally Sports brand. Diamond Sports has been navigating its way out of bankruptcy for the past 18 months, leading to several NBA, WNBA, and NHL teams choosing local broadcasters over regional sports networks.
As part of the termination agreements, Diamond Sports will receive $1.3 million from the Mavericks and over $297,000 from the Pelicans. These terminations coincide with Diamond’s new broadcast and streaming rights agreements with the NBA and NHL for the upcoming season, subject to court approval.
Diamond Sports has been severely impacted by the decline of cable television and its $8 billion debt load. While the company attempted to launch a sports-only streaming service for some teams in 2022, bankruptcy protection became inevitable. Pressure has mounted on Diamond to develop a viable business plan, especially with the NBA and NHL seasons on the horizon.
Despite its financial struggles, Diamond Sports achieved a significant milestone by reinstating its networks on Comcast’s cable TV service, following a brief blackout. As they continue to navigate through bankruptcy proceedings, Diamond remains focused on establishing stable broadcasting agreements with major sports leagues. The future of local game broadcasting for the Mavericks and Pelicans remains uncertain, but fans remain hopeful for a seamless viewing experience in the upcoming NBA season.