The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury made a potentially revolutionary announcement last week when they said their games moving forward — beginning with the Mercury’s this summer — will be broadcast for free on over-the-air channels and streamed online on a new direct-to-consumer service.
Suns games had been on cable television in some form since 1981. Now, they’ll be available to a far wider local audience — but with far less certainty in what the franchise will make off the deal.
“We’re not focusing on money,” new team owner Mat Ishbia said. “We’re focusing on winning, success and taking care of fans, taking care of the community. What happens is you always end up making money. It always works out.”
What does this new deal mean, and how will it impact the way games are shown around the NBA moving forward? Here’s where things stand and where they might be headed.
Wait, so … what are the Suns doing?
The Suns had one of the smallest local television deals in the NBA at less than $40 million per year, according to sources. After their current deal expired when Phoenix’s Western Conference first-round playoff series…
