DAZN’s long-rumored interest in acquiring Main Street Sports Group remains alive, according to new reporting from The Sports Business Journal. The reported interest remains as the clock continues to tick toward a critical funding deadline that could determine the future of dozens of professional teams’ local media rights.
According to the report, DAZN has stayed in communication with Main Street Sports Group and Major League Baseball after what previously appeared to be a stalled pursuit. With Main Street needing new capital by the end of the month, those conversations have taken on added urgency.
DAZN is tentatively scheduled to meet with MLB next week to evaluate the long-term outlook of baseball’s media rights landscape. At the center of those talks is whether owning Main Street — and the local rights to as many as nine MLB clubs — could position DAZN favorably as the league prepares to launch a national streaming package beginning in 2028.
That meeting could prove decisive, particularly if DAZN concludes that a durable partnership with MLB is unlikely and elects to walk away.
Meanwhile, uncertainty has spread beyond baseball. Main Street’s portfolio also includes 20 teams across the NBA and NHL, many of which are bracing for potential disruption. None of those clubs received scheduled rights fee payments on January 1, and Main Street has asked them to accept a 20% reduction while deferring payments until the second or third quarter.
The report states if DAZN agrees to act as a guarantor by February 1, league sources believe operations could continue largely uninterrupted for all 29 teams across the three leagues. However, the nine MLB clubs involved have indicated they will exit without new financing in place by that date, especially with the regular season approaching.
Among NBA and NHL teams, skepticism runs high. Sources tell SBJ privately believe Main Street could shutter by February 1, leaving full-season payments unresolved. Under that scenario, leagues have contingency plans ready.
The NBA would likely steer its affected franchises toward local over-the-air or direct-to-distributor partners while also making games available to in-market fans through League Pass. The NHL would emphasize a similar over-the-air approach, building on recent experiments with free, ad-supported platforms.
Despite ongoing discussions, doubts persist about whether DAZN will ultimately rescue Main Street. Both MLB and the NBA are planning national direct-to-consumer offerings by 2028 and 2027–28, respectively, which could limit the long-term value of a Main Street acquisition unless teams agree to extensions.
Complicating matters further, several markets served by FanDuel Sports Network face added risk if marquee teams depart, potentially triggering contractual issues with distributors and opening escape clauses for remaining franchises.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
