Except for three eras in franchise history — including this one — the Phoenix Suns have mostly been bottom-feeders in the NBA.
But they’ve become a must-watch team with Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker teaming up, and the new ownership sure wants to make the most out of that.
That’s why they’ve become trailblazers in a new era of streaming, joining the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury to start streaming their games for free.
According to Front Office Sports, Suns and Mercury fans will be able to stream the games for free after a new partnership with Gray Television, a local broadcaster.
Phoenix Suns and Mercury fans will be able to watch games for free through a new media rights deal with Gray Television.
By leaving Bally Sports Arizona, Diamond Sports says the Suns “breached our contract and violated bankruptcy law”.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) April 28, 2023
Per the report, this will benefit fans in more than 2.8 million households, which is more than three times the reach of their most recent partner, Bally Sports Arizona.
It’s worth noting that Diamond Sports — Bally’s parent company — filed for bankruptcy in March, opening the door for this deal to take place.
The company, however, claims the Suns are in breach of their contract with this new agreement with Gray Television.
This new rights contract will kick off with the upcoming WNBA season.
It’ll include free live streams via a new direct-to-consumer business model, partnering with streaming giant Kiswe to bring Suns and Mercury-branded apps for fans all over the state.
Notably, this new shift could cost the franchise tens of millions in guaranteed money per year, so this will be a huge gamble by new owner Matt Ishbia, who bought the team for $4 billion from Robert Sarver earlier in the season.
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