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Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Staff Writer
Diamond Sports Group, the bankrupt operator of regional sports networks (RSNs), has reached a commercial agreement with streaming giant Amazon. This deal allows in-market fans to watch their local teams through Prime Video.
The agreement covers Diamond’s 16 RSNs broadcasting across 31 states and will be available as an add-on subscription for existing Amazon Prime members. Access is limited to customers within each team’s designated geographic region, according to a news release from Diamond issued Wednesday.
Pricing details and a launch date have yet to be determined. Importantly, the agreement is non-exclusive, meaning fans can still stream local games through FanDuel Sports Network website.
In a statement, Diamond CEO David Preschlack said, “Partnering with Prime Video, one of the largest streaming destinations in the U.S., and making FanDuel Sports Network available as part of their add-on subscriptions creates a tremendous opportunity for us to expand our reach and better connect with viewers. Our partnerships with Prime Video and FanDuel, combined with our agreements with team, league, and distribution partners, support a transformative reorganization of our business, leading to a leading linear and digital offering that will continue driving long-term value and enhanced experiences for our partners and fans.”
Diamond announced in January, as part of a restructuring support agreement, that Amazon would become a minority investor, injecting $115 million into the company. The agreement also included a commercial arrangement granting access to Diamond’s services via Prime Video. Roughly seven months later, while negotiating a $1.93 billion media-rights deal with the NBA and WNBA, Amazon withdrew as an investor.
Despite this, Diamond persevered, ultimately finalizing a commercial agreement with Amazon just a day before its confirmation hearing.
Diamond, which has been under Chapter 11 bankruptcy for 20 months, retains linear and digital streaming rights for 13 NBA teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, and Memphis Grizzlies. The company also holds streaming rights for eight NHL teams: Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Earlier this week, Diamond announced it would offer single-game options for direct-to-consumer NBA and NHL games starting December 5th. Individual game prices will begin at $6.99.
The company is still navigating its baseball contracts. In October, Diamond disclosed in court that it would retain only one existing MLB deal – the Atlanta Braves, a team for whom they lack streaming rights. Since then, Diamond has announced a multi-year streaming and linear agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals and is nearing similar deals with the Los Angeles Angels and Miami Marlins. Sources indicate the company continues discussions with the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, and Tampa Bay Rays.
Five MLB teams have severed ties with Diamond since early October: the Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Guardians, Texas Rangers, and most recently, the Cincinnati Reds.
MLB and the Braves formally filed an objection to Diamond’s reorganization plan last Friday, expressing “grave concerns that, if the plan is confirmed, there is a substantial likelihood that the debtors will find themselves once again in financial distress and/or bankruptcy court in the near future.” Diamond faces a Wednesday deadline to respond.
