Per latest reporting by Austin Karp of Sports activities Enterprise Journal, a brand new participant is getting into the native NBA broadcast house. U.Okay. primarily based streamer DAZN (pronounced da’zone), a platform primarily identified for boxing and MMA, secured streaming rights for New York-based MSG and YES networks, making them the unique digital supplier for all non-national TV New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets video games.
Karp additionally reported from a number of sources that DAZN was near offers with the Timberwolves, Cavaliers, Pacers, Grizzlies, Magic, probably the Hornets, and the San Antonio Spurs. Nothing is official, however DAZN CEO all however confirmed, telling Sports activities Enterprise Journal, “We’re in dialogue with many different groups, and I can promise you that extra groups will comply with very quickly.”
This marks a notable shift in native sports activities broadcasting, which, till now, was dealt with by regional sports activities networks (RSNs). These are Fox Sports activities Southwest, Bally Sports activities Southwest, and most just lately, FanDuel Sports activities Community Southwest. All of which aren’t any extra, with FanDuel Sports activities Community formally folding this 12 months.
This may hardly be a shock. RSNs have been a dying enterprise mannequin, limping alongside for years now. Because the title adjustments recommend, the networks have modified palms a number of occasions, with one dad or mum firm, Diamond Sports activities Group, going by means of chapter in 2023. DAZN was checked out as a possible purchaser of the entity in 2025, however in the end determined to not, maybe seeing the long run alternative down the street.
These struggles have had actual penalties for NBA groups past simply their very own income. As RSNs underperformed, the NBA wage cap can’t be propped up by the profitable nationwide TV offers. Consequently, the wage cap didn’t hit its 10 p.c most development, as an alternative settling for six.7 p.c.
Whereas this isn’t a decline, it isn’t the expansion the house owners and gamers need. Different RSNs will both have to adapt or face the identical destiny as FanDuel Sports activities Community.
Streaming is the pure development, and DAZN stepping in is smart. The corporate is already a rights holder for the NBA in a number of worldwide markets, and is seeking to develop its U.S. rights portfolio. The aforementioned anticipated offers could possibly be solely the start because the platform needs to pursue the rights to be the NBA’s centralized native streamer down the street.
That is all nicely and good for the NBA and DAZN, however what does it imply for followers?
Offered the offers undergo, it can imply streaming turns into the unique medium for Spurs broadcasts.
Karp experiences that DAZN is prepared to place forth a superb quantity of capital for advertising to create consciousness. A small handful of video games will probably be broadcast over-the-air or free from DAZN earlier than absolutely switching over to streaming solely.
How that’s obtained will largely be depending on the value. Presently, DAZN has just a few package deal choices. The least costly of which is $249.99 yearly. In case you are solely signing up for the Spurs, which will or might not really feel value it. It’s attainable these costs may change, and the concept of a inexpensive, team-only or basketball-only package deal is possible.
General, it’s an enormous shift however a step in the direction of the long run. RSNs merely aren’t a viable choice if they’ll’t maintain themselves. The small print are nonetheless being ironed out, nevertheless it’s sure that how followers watch the Spurs will change for the 2026-2027 season.
