Sportico Report: Diamond Sports Group Reaches Deals With NBA, NHL

Sportico Report: Diamond Sports Group Reaches Deals With NBA, NHL By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director

Friday, August 23, 2024 - 6:31 pm

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Sportico today is reporting that nearly a month to the day after a Houston court agreed to postpone a crucial confirmation hearing in the Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy case, the owner/operator of the country's largest group of regional sports networks has finalized deals to continue televising games for 20 NBA and NHL teams in their local markets. In a series of filings with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Diamond on Friday disclosed that it has agreed to honor its legacy TV agreements with the bulk of its NBA and NHL partners.

We are appreciative of the ongoing collaboration and long-term partnerships with the NBA and NHL, David Preschlack, CEO of Diamond Sports Group, said in a statement. These new agreements that cover NBA and NHL linear and DTC rights are another major milestone and continue Diamond's momentum toward emergence, which will enable us to provide value for our NBA and NHL partners and continue to serve dedicated local NBA, NHL and MLB fans. Having completed negotiations with key partners that provide certainty around our content and distribution, Diamond is well positioned for the future. With 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.

The report states that DSG will forge ahead with the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs through at least the end of the 2024-2025 NBA season.

Diamond also has secured deals with the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning.

The deals require the approval of U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez, who has repeatedly urged the parties to reach arrangements on their own rather than wait for him to issue orders that favor one side or the other. Lopez's recommendations are consistent with the federal bankruptcy process, which is designed to encourage settlement and mediation on the idea that the interested parties are in the best position to resolve their dispute.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2024/08/23/sportico-report-diamond-sports-...
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