Memphis Grizzlies games are set to air on Bally Sports for the 2024-25 season.
The NBA and Diamond Sports Group have reached an agreement that will allow 13 NBA regional sports networks and Diamond Sports Group to distribute games locally. Nine other NHL markets are included in the deal, according to documents filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. The decision still needs approval from the bankruptcy court before it can be finalized.
Diamond Sports is the parent company of Bally Sports, which broadcasts local Grizzlies games. When the Grizzlies released their 2024-25 NBA Schedule, Bally Sports was not listed as a broadcaster for preseason or regular-season games. That will remain the case until the decision is approved by a bankruptcy court, but Friday’s development was welcome news for Grizzlies, NBA and NHL fans.
“We are grateful for the continued collaboration and long-term partnerships with the NBA and NHL,” Diamond Sports Group CEO David Preschlack said in a statement. “These new agreements covering linear and DTC rights to the NBA and NHL represent another important milestone and continue Diamond’s momentum toward emergence, which will allow us to deliver value to our NBA and NHL partners and continue to serve the dedicated local fans of the NBA, NHL and MLB. Having completed negotiations with key partners that provide certainty around our content and distribution, Diamond is well positioned for the future. With the support of our creditors, we are focused on finalizing our plan of reorganization to support our emergence and presenting that plan to the court in a timely manner.”
Diamond Sports Group announced in July that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Comcast after Xfinity customers have been unable to watch games since May. In January, DSG has concluded a restructuring support agreement Amazon has reached an agreement with its major creditors to establish a reorganization framework by releasing Diamond from bankruptcy and continuing its operations. Part of that plan included Amazon investing in Diamond to stream games on Prime Video for next season.
In March 2023, Bally Sports filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, often referred to as restructuring bankruptcy. This allowed Diamond to continue running his business with court approval to borrow money.
The current deal in effect for the Grizzlies and 12 other NBA teams runs through the end of the 2024-25 season.
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The Phoenix Suns, a former Bally Sports partner, caused a stir last season when they decided to televise their home games. A statement from an NBA spokesperson provided to The Commercial Appeal said that two other former Bally Sports partners, “the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans, have declined to continue broadcasting their games on Diamond RSNs.”
The Pelicans announced earlier this month that their games would be televised, while the plan for the Mavericks is currently unknown.
The Grizzlies will open the preseason on Oct. 7 against the Mavericks, and the regular season will begin on Oct. 23 on the road against the Utah Jazz.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies editor for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
