Earlier today, it was announced that the Phoenix Suns and Mercury would be leaving cable TV, in favor of local broadcast channels. The two teams had reached a deal to put all of their regular season games on local broadcast channels that are owned by Gray Television and also on a local streaming platform.
Now, Bally Sports and its parent-company, Diamond Sports Group, is not happy with that decision. Claiming that it breaches contracts and violates bankruptcy laws.
Currently, the Phoenix Suns and Mercury broadcast rights are owned by Bally Sports Arizona, who air their games, as well as on Bally Sports+. DSG is currently in bankruptcy court, and working to restructure its debt, so teams are looking for other ways to broadcast their games.
“The Phoenix Suns breached our contract and violated bankruptcy law, and Diamond Sports Group will pursue all remedies against any parties that attempt to exercise control over our property interests while we reorganize,” Diamond Sports said in a statement. “This is an improper effort by the Suns to change their broadcasting partner without permitting Diamond to exercise our contractual rights.”
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The NBA renewed its contract with DSG in February, complicating things
Back in February, the NBA had renewed its contract with Diamond Sports Group, through 2025. Which complicates things here. And it’s going to put DSG and Gray Television into a nasty fight for rights to broadcast the Suns and Mercury.
Though, they need to figure things out soon, as the Mercury’s season starts on May 19. And at this point, there’s no word on where their games will be broadcast. This is likely just the beginning of a long fight between the Phoenix Suns, Mercury, DSG/Bally Sports and Gray Television.
The move to local TV is an interesting one. It’s unlikely that the Suns and Mercury would get a major payday with local channels, as they currently do with Bally Sports. But that would allow more people to see the games.
Bally Sports unhappy with Phoenix Suns, Mercury heading to local TV
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