The Phoenix Suns and Mercury’s broadcasts will majorly shift next season, the team announced in a new media rights deal with Gray Television, Inc. on Friday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Starting in 2023-24, the teams’ home games will be broadcast to nearly 2.8 million households in Arizona for free on television and streamed online on a new service called Kiswe, the team announced.
- The teams’ contract with Bally Sports Arizona expired this season. Bally Sports is owned by Diamond Sports Group, which filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.
- In a responding statement, Diamond Sports alleged that the “Suns breached our contract and violated bankruptcy law, and Diamond Sports Group will pursue all remedies against any parties that attempt to exercise control over our property interests while we reorganize.”
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What does this mean for fans?
This, theoretically, should make it easier for Suns and Mercury fans to watch the games of those teams. With games on free TV and available to stream, it should be a more frictionless experience, without the need to subscribe to a cable provider or to get the right package. That’s what team owner Mat Ishbia is plainly hoping for. — Vorkunov
What does this mean for the NBA?
While this news may be…
