DirecTV and DAZN Announce Multi-Year NBA Local Broadcast Agreement

DirecTV and the sports entertainment platform DAZN announced a new multi-year distribution agreement to broadcast local games for five National Basketball Association teams. The agreement covers regional telecasts for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, and San Antonio Spurs within their designated home territories.

Under the terms of the agreement, the regional broadcasts will be accessible to DirecTV customers subscribed to the Choice package or higher, as well as U-verse TV customers with the U200 package or higher. In addition, the partnership extends distribution rights for these five franchises to thousands of commercial venues such as sports bars, restaurants, and fitness clubs across the respective local regions.

The arrangement marks a significant shift for the five franchises, which previously secured deals granting exclusive local broadcast rights to DAZN. According to industry reports, these teams initially accepted higher rights fees for an exclusive streaming model, though the partnership with DirecTV now introduces a direct-to-distributor simulcast option for local fans.

In the coming weeks, subscribers who receive access through DirecTV will also be able to log directly into the DAZN platform at no additional cost using their DirecTV credentials. Rob Thun, chief content officer at DirecTV, stated that the goal is to provide local sports fans with greater choice and flexibility in how they watch games.

Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN Group, noted that partnerships like the one with DirecTV help place games in front of the widest possible audience. "Local games for the Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Pacers, Spurs, and Timberwolves are now available on DAZN, DirecTV, and at bars and restaurants across each of the teams' five local markets," Segev said.

Specific channel assignments have been designated for each team's regional broadcasts across DirecTV and U-verse networks. For instance, Cleveland Cavaliers games are available on channel 660 for streaming and satellite users, while San Antonio Spurs broadcasts can be found on channel 680.

Separately in the sports world, boxers Devin Haney and Liam Paro have agreed to a welterweight title unification bout. Mike Coppinger of The Ring reported that the two fighters have reached an agreement for a match expected to take place in the United States before the conclusion of the year.