The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury have made a groundbreaking decision to broadcast their games on free television channels, following the rejection of a matching offer by their regional sports network partner. Earlier this year, the teams announced their intention to terminate their longstanding partnership with Bally Sports Arizona, whose parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March. However, a bankruptcy court judge initially blocked this transition. Nevertheless, the teams have now received the green light to proceed, as Bally Sports failed to meet the Thursday deadline to enforce a matching rights clause in the expired contract.
Expanded Reach and Streaming Option
To expand their viewership, the Suns and Mercury have partnered with Gray Television, a company that owns multiple over-the-air stations in Arizona. According to the teams, this move will triple their audience compared to when the games were exclusively available on cable. In addition to the over-the-air broadcasts, there are plans to introduce a direct-to-consumer streaming service, allowing fans to stream games online.
Excitement for the Future
Suns owner Mat Ishbia expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership with Gray Television, stating that it marks a significant shift in the industry. He also highlighted the team’s successful offseason, which involved making exciting moves to build a championship-caliber Suns team that fans desire. With the new broadcasting arrangement, over 2.8 million homes across Arizona will have access to Suns and Mercury games at no cost.
A Potential Trendsetter
The Suns and Mercury may be leading the way in a broader trend of sports teams opting for free broadcast television. The Utah Jazz recently announced their intention to move their games to a local over-the-air station, following 15 years of non-national TV games on a regional sports network. Similar to the Suns and Mercury, the Jazz will also offer a direct-to-consumer streaming option. Ishbia expressed pride in being at the forefront of this accessibility shift, which benefits both their existing fan base and the potential growth of NBA and WNBA fandom.
Overall, the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury have made a significant decision to switch to free broadcast television, expanding their reach and providing more accessibility to their games. This move could potentially set a trend for other sports teams to follow, as they aim to attract larger audiences and cultivate future fans of the sport.
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