MILWAUKEE, Wis. – As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches, the Milwaukee Bucks will be one of 13 NBA franchises to broadcast their games on a regional sports network owned by Bally Sports.
According to court documents Friday afternoon, Bally Regional Sports Networks received a bailout while attempting to emerge from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings as reports surfaced that new agreements to televise NBA and NHL games are in place through at least the 2024-25 season.
The Bucks have broadcast all non-nationally televised exclusive games on Bally Sports Wisconsin and will continue to do so next season.
Diamond Sports Group, which broadcasts Bally-branded regional sports networks, said in court filings that it has reached agreements to broadcast games with 13 NBA franchises and nine NHL teams for the upcoming season.
“We are grateful for the continued collaboration and long-term partnerships with the NBA and NHL,” Diamond CEO David Preschlack said in a statement. “These new agreements, covering the NBA and NHL linear and (direct) rights, are another important milestone and continue Diamond’s momentum toward growth, which will enable us to deliver value to our NBA and NHL partners and continue to serve engaged local NBA, NHL and MLB fans.”
In addition to the Bucks, Friday’s deal affects the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs. As part of the deals, Diamond Sports Group will terminate its contracts with the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans.
The affected NHL teams are: The NHL teams are the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Both the NBA and the NHL have asked for clarity on the situation as soon as possible in order to consider their next steps after this season.
Assuming the deals are approved by the bankruptcy court, the Bucks can remain with Bally Sports for the entire 2024-25 season – even if Diamond Sports does not emerge from its Chapter 11 proceedings.
According to Daniel Kaplan of Awful Announcing, if Diamond Sports Group cannot come up with a Chapter 11 exit plan by the end of the 2024-25 NBA and NHL seasons, the contracts will expire by the end of the season. If Bally Sports defaults on payments by then, the teams will become high priority creditors and receive liens on Diamond’s assets. If Diamond gets a plan approved, however, the NBA and NHL agreements will automatically continue beyond the upcoming season.
“We have reached a new agreement with Diamond Sports Group for the 2024-25 season in which Diamond RSNs will broadcast local games of 13 NBA teams,” the NBA said in a statement. “The Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans have declined to continue broadcasting their games on Diamond RSNs and will shortly announce further details on how to watch the upcoming season’s games in their respective markets. This new agreement is subject to bankruptcy court approval.”
Bally Sports Wisconsin is available throughout the state of Wisconsin via cable, satellite and streaming providers.
Click here for more information on where to find the Milwaukee Bucks at Bally Sports.
