We’re about two months away from the start of the 2023-24 NBA season, and for about half the league, uncertainty is afoot in terms of where games will be broadcasted locally.
With Diamond Sports Group still in the midst of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, the future of Bally Sports remains in limbo. But the NBA appears to be preparing to take the lead like Major League Baseball did with some of its teams and handle local broadcasts themselves if a Bally Sports network should shutter.
According to reporting in The Athletic, Diamond Sports Group can honor its contracts through this season.
But in the event that doesn’t happen and teams have to get out of a deal, the league would handle production and distribution. The NBA has already had some discussions with over-the-air stations in Bally Sports markets.
Still, the situation between the company and the NBA appears to be a little different than what’s going on between the company and MLB. Diamond Sports wants to get through the basketball season without issue, but that’s not to say the company could determine some NBA contracts aren’t worth saving.
