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Disney, Apple, Amazon and YouTube ‘among streaming sites circling for NBA rights’ amid Bally Sports’ bankruptcy woe
- The Phoenix Suns chose not to renew with Bally Sports and will be on Gray TV
- Diamond Sports Group – Bally Sports’ parent – holds rights to 15 NBA franchises
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Streaming coverage of the NBA may expand should Diamond Sports Group – the bankrupt parent company of Bally Sports – be unable or unwilling to continue local coverage.
Bally Sports presently has contracts with 15 NBA franchises but some streaming giants are circling.
Bloomberg reports Apple, Amazon, YouTube and Walt Disney are interested in bringing aboard local NBA games.
Though, it is conditional upon gaining a ‘critical mass’ of teams, such as Bally currently possesses.
The report also adds DirecTV is also intrigued by the prospect of acquiring the local sports broadcasting privileges.
Bally Sports’ parent company Diamond Sports Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March
Bally Sports provides local sports coverage across the nation for NBA, NHL and MLB franchises
The Suns will no longer be on Bally Sports after the franchise chose not to renew its contract
The Phoenix Suns recently opted to renew its contract with Bally and will instead have games televised on Gray Television, an over-the-air station.
Bally still has deals with the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, L.A. Clippers, OKC Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic.
In addition to its predicament regarding NBA franchises, DSG, via Bally, airs MLB and NHL in local markets.
The San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks are no longer streamed on Bally and have recently been broadcast by MLB.
DSG has reportedly been hesitant to commit to its NBA teams next season. Negotiating deals with ComCast and DirecTV are part of the uncertainty ahead for the bankrupt conglomerate.
‘We are in ongoing discussions with the NBA about paths forward and are engaged in renewal discussions regarding the two distribution agreements that are up this year,’ Diamond Sports said in a statement, via Bloomberg.
‘Our goal is to continue producing and broadcasting games for all NBA teams in our portfolio.’
DSG filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March. Mail Sport has reached out to the NBA regarding the present situation.
