NBA Explores Streaming Hub for Local Games Amid RSN Uncertainty

The National Basketball Association is actively exploring the launch of a streaming hub to broadcast local games as early as next season, a move accelerated by the impending financial difficulties of Main Street Sports Group (MSSG). This potential shift in distribution could impact up to 22 NBA teams and is drawing interest from major streaming platforms like YouTube TV, DAZN, Amazon, and ESPN.

The Catalyst: Main Street Sports Group’s Demise

The urgency to establish a streaming hub stems from the anticipated bankruptcy of Main Street Sports Group in April. MSSG operates the FanDuel Sports Network regional sports network (RSN), holding the local broadcast rights for 13 NBA franchises. Sports Business Journal reports the NBA informed teams of this potential shift, a year earlier than initially projected.

Teams Potentially Included in the Streaming Hub

The initial group of teams likely to be included in the streaming hub consists of those currently partnered with Main Street Sports Group:

• Atlanta Hawks
• Charlotte Hornets
• Cleveland Cavaliers
• Detroit Pistons
• Indiana Pacers
• Los Angeles Clippers
• Memphis Grizzlies
• Miami Heat
• Milwaukee Bucks
• Minnesota Timberwolves
• Oklahoma City Thunder
• Orlando Magic
• San Antonio Spurs

However, the potential reach extends beyond these 13 teams. NBC Sports, which holds the local broadcast rights for the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Sacramento Kings, is reportedly seeking to exit the RSN business, potentially adding these franchises to the hub. Sportspro notes this could bring the total to 17 teams.

five teams – the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks, and Novel Orleans Pelicans – have already moved away from the RSN model, and could also be included. Adding these teams, along with those who operate their own networks, could bring the total number of teams available on the streaming hub to as many as 22.

Streaming Platform Contenders

The NBA is currently in discussions with several major streaming platforms to host the hub. RealGM confirms that YouTube TV, DAZN, Amazon, and ESPN are all in the running.

DAZN has reportedly taken a proactive approach, offering individual teams one-year “bridge” deals in case the NBA delays the launch of a centralized hub until the 2027/28 season. This strategy aims to position DAZN favorably for bidding on the league’s centralized service in the future.

Financial Implications

Industry insiders believe a distribution agreement for the streaming hub could be worth billions of dollars. The NBA would likely require any streaming platform to guarantee a certain threshold of team participation before finalizing a deal. The league is seeking to centralize more of its broadcast inventory, and a streaming hub for local games aligns with this goal.

Potential Integration with NBA League Pass

Looking ahead, the NBA could potentially integrate the local streaming hub with NBA League Pass, its out-of-market streaming service, which is currently distributed by Amazon Prime Video. Amazon Prime Video currently offers select NBA games.

The move to a streaming hub represents a significant shift in how NBA fans access local games, driven by the changing landscape of regional sports networks and the growing demand for streaming options.