Diamond Sports Group has signaled that it plans to broadcast local NBA and NHL games for the 2024-25 season, though two basketball teams will be dropped from its coverage.
The Blues would continue with Bally under the arrangement.
Diamond 鈥 the parent company of Cardinals and Blues regional telecaster Bally Sports Midwest 鈥 has been in bankruptcy proceedings since March 2023, a result of dwindling cable viewership over the years. A series of court hearings had initially been scheduled for late July, but the company asked, and was granted, permission to delay.
In documents filed with the Houston bankruptcy court Friday, Diamond has agreed to broadcast the games of 13 NBA and nine NHL teams through at least the end of the upcoming seasons. The media company said it will no longer broadcast the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks as doing so loses money for Diamond, according to filings.
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The other NHL teams included in the agreement are the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning.
The NBA teams covered are: the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs.
This deal ensures the NBA and NHL that Diamond will broadcast their games through the 2024-25 season even if the company does not emerge from bankruptcy.
鈥淲e are continuing to talk with Bally Sports Midwest about our broadcasts for the upcoming season and look forward to be able to finalize those plans in the near future,鈥 the Blues said in a statement provided by spokesperson Roger Hacker.
The agreements are pending court approval. The company is scheduled to present them at a Sept. 3 hearing in Houston.
David Preschlack, CEO of Diamond Sports Group, said in a statement that the new agreements are a milestone in the bankruptcy case.
鈥淗aving completed negotiations with key partners that provide certainty around our content and distribution, Diamond is well positioned for the future,鈥 Preschlack said. 鈥淲ith the support of our creditors, we are focused on finalizing our reorganization plan to support our emergence and presenting that plan to the court in due course.鈥
If the company does not emerge from bankruptcy, then these new agreements will end with the 2024-25 season.
The first day of the NHL鈥檚 season is Oct. 8, while the NBA season will begin on Oct. 22.
View life in 最新杏吧原创 through the Post-Dispatch photographers' lenses. Edited by Jenna Jones.
