The Cavaliers may be on the verge of a new local TV setup, with DAZN closing in on exclusive broadcast rights for five NBA teams starting next season.
Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal reported that the streaming platform is nearing deals for Cleveland, the Timberwolves, the Pacers, the Spurs and the Grizzlies. Drew Lerner of Awful Announcing highlighted the report.
DAZN’s reach may not stop there. The company is also expected to land streaming-only arrangements with the Magic and possibly the Hornets, and it is reportedly set to take over streaming operations now run by the Gotham Sports app for the Knicks and Nets, along with other New York-area teams.
For Cleveland fans, it would be another shift in a regional sports TV picture that has already changed plenty. Diamond Sports Group, which was later renamed Main Street Sports Group, previously handled Cavaliers games through FanDuel Sports Network before its regional sports business fell apart.
The reported framework of the new deals is straightforward enough: DAZN would pay guaranteed rights fees that range from about $8 million to $20 million per year, depending on market size, while also splitting future subscription, advertising and other revenue with the teams involved.
These arrangements are expected to be short-term. The NBA has been moving toward a centralized local streaming platform before the 2027-28 season, so flexibility is clearly part of the plan.
Karp reported that many of the deals are likely to last one season or include mutual opt-out clauses after next year.
There’s also a chance fans still won’t need a subscription for every game. Several teams are expected to keep some broadcasts available over the air, giving viewers a way to catch select games without signing up for streaming.
For DAZN, the move would be its biggest push yet into the U.S. local sports market. The company reportedly sees next season as a chance to build a foothold before the NBA eventually brings local media rights into a league-wide streaming model.
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