Fans of the Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Pelicans may have to find a new way to watch their favorite teams in the upcoming NBA season. Both teams are parting ways with their regional sports networks, which are owned by Diamond Sports. This information was revealed in a recent bankruptcy court filing, causing uncertainty among supporters of these teams. The NBA season is just around the corner, set to kick off on Oct. 22, making it crucial for both franchises to finalize their broadcasting arrangements soon.
Despite no official announcements from either team regarding their new broadcasting plans, it is known that both the Mavericks and the Pelicans have a history of airing their games through local broadcasters. The Pelicans seem to have made progress in this area, as they have reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Gray Television to broadcast their games this season. While this news has not been confirmed by the team or Gray Television representatives, it hints at a potential solution for Pelicans fans eager to watch their team in action.
Last season, the Pelicans already aired 10 of their games on Gray’s local stations, indicating a pre-existing relationship that could be expanded upon. Meanwhile, the Mavericks, fresh off an appearance in the NBA Finals last season, had a 13-game agreement with Tegna’s Dallas-Fort Worth stations. However, details about who will broadcast their games this season remain unknown, as neither the Mavericks nor Tegna have responded to inquiries about their plans.
The decisions by the Mavericks and Pelicans to move away from their Diamond-owned regional sports networks reflect a wider trend in the sports broadcasting landscape. Diamond Sports has been struggling to navigate its way out of bankruptcy for the past 18 months, leading several NBA, WNBA, and NHL teams to seek alternative broadcasting options. In the case of Major League Baseball teams, some have opted to have their games produced directly by the league itself.
As part of the termination agreements with the Mavericks and Pelicans, Diamond Sports is set to receive significant payments. The court filing indicates that the Mavericks will pay $1.3 million, while the Pelicans will pay over $297,000. These payments mark a necessary step in the bankruptcy process for Diamond Sports, which is simultaneously trying to secure broadcast and streaming rights agreements with the NBA and NHL for the upcoming season.
Diamond Sports’ struggle with mounting debt and the shifting landscape of cable television highlight the challenges faced by traditional sports broadcasters. Despite launching a sports-only streaming service in 2022, the company’s financial woes persisted, ultimately leading to the bankruptcy filing. With pressure mounting to demonstrate a viable business plan and fulfill rights payments, Diamond Sports faces a pivotal moment as it navigates the complexities of the modern sports media industry.
As the NBA and NHL seasons approach, Diamond must also contend with the need for court approval of its broadcast and streaming rights agreements. The return of its networks to Comcast’s cable TV customers this summer marked a positive development, yet challenges remain in ensuring a sustainable future for the company. The evolving nature of sports broadcasting underscores the importance of adaptation and flexibility in an increasingly digital and on-demand media environment.