Diamond Sports Group and the NBA have reached an agreement about the regional sports network operator’s ability to broadcast the remaining 13 franchises it currently holds the rights for.
The NBA and Diamond Sports Group — which operates the Bally Sports-branded regional sports networks — reached an agreement that modifies the previous contracts. Under the new deal, the NBA and Diamond Sports Group guarantee the league will keep its games on the networks, but the cable company will release the rights of all 13 teams back to the league at the conclusion of the season.
“The Debtors have reached agreement on modifications to their telecast rights agreements with the NBA and are continuing those discussions with the NHL,” DSG stated in a court filing. “The Debtors project that these modified agreements, together with the other agreements and transactions that are part of the Cooperation Agreement, will allow the Debtors to operate profitably through the 2023–24 Seasons.”
Currently, the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs all air on Bally Sports channels.
The deal comes after the network filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March. The eight-month period since the filing has been a tumultuous one for the company, as it lost the broadcast rights to MLB’s San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks, NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Ultimately, Bally Sports Arizona was shuttered after the moves.
Diamond Sports Group also owns the local television rights to 12 NHL teams, and legal filings hint that a similar deal could soon be struck between the league and company.
Major League Baseball, however, has been the biggest detractor of the reorganization of the television network. Lawyers for the league argued that the new deal with the NBA and potential deal with the NHL is encouraging.
“The words we’re hearing today sound optimistic,” an MLB lawyer said. “But we reserve all of our rights until we have a chance to look at the materials and understand exactly what’s being proposed with respect to major league baseball and its constituent clubs.”
