Analysis: Bally Sports deal with NBA could prove a win for fans
Cleveland Cavaliers games will remain on Bally Sports Ohio this season.
That will likely cause those who have access to the regional sports network via assorted cable systems, live television streaming services and the Bally Sports+ app to breathe a sigh of relief.
According to a report from Awful Announcing, Diamond Sports Group reached a deal to air games for 13 NBA teams this season, including the Cavs. Diamond is still negotiating with the MLB and NHL teams for whom they still hold rights, including the Cleveland Guardians, to air the 2024 season.
According to the report, the teams agreed to modify their current deals with Bally Sports, something that likely includes a cut in rights fees. But those teams will have their local rights returned to them after this season.
For now, however, it’s a win-win as the regional sports network attempts to stay in operation.
That said, it could be a significant win for the sports teams currently under contract, who would become unrestricted free agents after this season, allowing them to team up with other local broadcast partners. The local broadcast landscape would be risky, but the potential to make up for lost television revenue in other areas certainly would be a possibility.
The local boost in viewership could also be significant. The Las Vegas Knights, last year’s NHL Stanley Cup champion, moved their games to an over-the-air broadcast station this season and their ratings increased 135% in early season sampling.
It’s clear, at this point, the local broadcast model is changing and it actually might be to the benefit of sports fans who don’t want to pay prices they view to be increasingly outlandish for live television.
The Cavs were once on over-the-air television, something many could receive with just an antenna hookup, and for those who cannot but still want their NBA basketball fix locally, streaming technology could easily come into play.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Bally Sports finalizes deal with NBA, could prove a win for Cavs fans
