Tag: Diamond Sports

Report: Bally Sports might axe OKC Thunder broadcast ahead of 2024-25 season

Report: Bally Sports might axe OKC Thunder broadcast ahead of 2024-25 season.

A little over two months before the 2024-25 season starts, the Oklahoma City Thunder may need a backup plan for broadcasting their games.

The Diamond Sports Group — also known as Bally Sports — might trim five NBA teams from their deals if they survive bankruptcy, per the Sports Business Journal.

One of those five squads is the Oklahoma City Thunder. The other four teams who could get axed are the New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies and Detroit Pistons

The company is expected to keep deals with the other 10 teams broadcasting its games on Bally Sports. The Thunder declined to comment on the situation to the Sports Business Journal.

The Bally Sports saga has spanned years at this point. It filed for bankruptcy in March 2023. It was reported in Nov. 2023 that the Thunder could leave Bally Sports as soon as this offseason.

During last season, the Thunder broadcasted a handful of contests via local airwaves. This could be an alternative plan if OKC and Bally Sports fail to reach next season under a deal.

It’d be an efficient avenue to make Thunder games more accessible. Local fans only need an antenna to stream the contests throughout the season and avoid subscription headaches.

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Amazon partners with Diamond Sports; OKC Thunder games could broadcast on Prime

Amazon partners with Diamond Sports; future OKC Thunder games could broadcast on Prime.

Diamond Sports announced on Wednesday that it will partner with Amazon in a restructuring agreement. This means future Oklahoma City Thunder games could be carried on Amazon Prime.

Diamond Sports — the owners of Bally Sports — is navigating through bankruptcy, which it filed for in March 2023. This agreement with Amazon will allow Diamond Sports to emerge from bankruptcy. The agreement is subject to approval by the bankruptcy court.

Under terms of the deal, Amazon will make a minor initial investment, reportedly $115 million. In return, it will get the chance to stream NBA games on its online platform. Amazon’s interest in Diamond Sports was previously reported last month.

“We are thrilled to have reached a comprehensive restructuring agreement that provides a detailed framework for a reorganization plan and substantial new financing that will enable Diamond to operate and thrive beyond 2024,” Diamond Sports CEO David Preschlack said in a statement. “We are grateful for the support from Amazon and a group of our largest creditors who clearly believe in the value-creating potential of this business. Diamond’s near-term focus will be on implementing the RSA and emerging from bankruptcy as a going concern for the benefit of our investors, our employees, our team, league and distribution partners, and the millions of fans who will continue to enjoy our broadcasts.”

In November, the NBA and Diamond Sports agreed to an extension that will allow the Thunder and 14 other teams to have the remainder of their 2023-24 season games carried on Bally Sports.

After that though, OKC will enter broadcast free agency this offseason. Amazon Prime — the $14.99 a month online platform — becomes another viable option. If future Thunder games are streamed there, it will be at a cost.

The Thunder also recently announced their eight remaining Friday regular-season games will air on local Griffin Media television affiliates. Bally Sports and the NBA allowed their teams to explore this option during this season.

The games will be carried on Griffin stations KSBI Channel 52 in Oklahoma City and News On 6 Now Channel 6.3 in Tulsa. The games will also be carried on COX (Channel 7 in OKC, Channel 53 in Tulsa), other cable outlets, and DirecTV and DISH in OKC (Channel 52).

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