Amazon Prime in Talks to Livestream Bally Sports Broadcasts of 13 NBA Franchises

Amazon Prime is in talks to become a major regional sports broadcaster for the NBA, MLB, and NHL, and could stream live Bally Sports broadcasts from 13 NBA franchises, according to Josh Kosman of the New York Post.

Amazon Prime can secure all Bally Sports broadcasts from 13 NBA franchises, five MLB teams, and nine NHL teams.

The tech giant will broadcast games for five MLB teams and nine NHL teams. The terms of the contract between Amazon and Diamond Sports, the bankrupt company that owns the Bally Sports brand, have not been disclosed.

“The Seattle-based e-tailing giant led by Jeff Bezos is in late stage negotiations for a contract to stream live on Amazon Prime this coming season all Bally Sports broadcasts of 13 NBA franchises, as well as five MLB teams and nine teams in the NHL. , said sources close to the situation,” wrote Kosman.

Amazon closes in on major deal to stream NBA, MLB and NHL games on mainstream media: sources pic.twitter.com/tdvmeP3shP

— NY Post Business (@nypostbiz) September 5, 2024

Under the deal, Amazon will broadcast all non-national NBA games from the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City. Thunder, and the San Antonio Spurs.

The new streaming service could launch next month when the NHL and NBA seasons begin. Fans will pay about $20 a month to access their team’s home games through Amazon Prime. This means that fans with Prime accounts will no longer need a cable subscription to watch local games.

However, Bally will continue to broadcast the games on cable networks across the country. Last month, Amazon reportedly backed out of a deal to invest $115 million in Diamond.

The tech giant announced its 11-year deal with the NBA and WNBA in July

Diamond has the digital broadcasting rights to five MLB teams on the Bally network: Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays.

Additionally, Bally Sports broadcasts local games for the Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, and Texas Rangers. Those contracts are expected to expire at the end of the current season.

According to Kosman, his sources said Amazon is now in talks to broadcast all local NHL games this season for the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues, and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Amazon is currently streaming NHL Prime Monday Hockey Night in Canada.

In July, Amazon announced its 11-year deal with the NBA and WNBA. This made the company the exclusive broadcast service for 66 regular season television games beginning in the 2025-26 season. The deal also includes playoff games.

Diamond, which operates under Bally Sports, will change its name when it emerges from bankruptcy in November.