Sources tell Nola.com that the New Orleans Pelicans will no longer broadcast their regular season games on Bally Sports next season. The team has reportedly reached a multi-year deal with Gray Television that will air approximately 70 of the 82 regular season games. Nola.com’s Christian Clark was the first to report the news. The team has not yet officially announced the deal.
Diamond Sports, the parent company of Bally Sports, filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, and it was inevitable that the Pelicans would find a new partner to broadcast their games. Diamond began informing teams that it was parting ways with them in order to stay afloat financially. Last season, New Orleans experimented with Gray Television by allowing them to broadcast seven regular season games. Nielson ratings showed that viewership was 260% higher compared to Bally Sports’ ratings.
Gray Television is one of the largest local television providers in the country. With the new deal, Pelicans basketball games will now be seen all along the Gulf Coast, from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, Biloxi, Ms. and even into Alabama. New Orleans is making a serious effort to attract more fans and expand its reach across the Gulf.
Earlier this year, the Pelicans and Saints agreed to a new multi-year deal with WWL Radio. David Griffin, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations in New Orleans, sees this as an opportunity to grow the Pelicans’ fan base. “As we continue to grow the Pelicans brand throughout the region, this partnership with WWL will reinforce our efforts to bring high-quality and engaging basketball conversations to a broader audience.”
New Orleans isn’t the first team to make its games free to its fans recently. Phoenix recently switched to a free terrestrial model so its fans can watch Suns games. The new TV and radio deals allow Pelicans fans in a much larger area to watch the team for free.
