Diamond Sports to Broadcast NBA and NHL Games in 2024-25

Diamond Sports announced on Friday that it has secured agreements with both the NBA and NHL, allowing the broadcaster to continue its operations while navigating bankruptcy. As part of this arrangement, Diamond will no longer hold contracts with the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans, leaving it with a total of 13 NBA teams and nine NHL teams for the upcoming 2024-25 seasons. The agreements also include terms that extend beyond the 2024-25 season, contingent upon Diamond successfully emerging from bankruptcy. To facilitate its emergence, Diamond must undergo a confirmation hearing where a judge will approve its reorganization plan. The company has proposed a new arrangement with key debtholders, setting significant procedural deadlines for October 1 and November 15. In addition to its basketball and hockey commitments, Diamond continues to broadcast a dozen MLB teams, although the future of its relationship with Major League Baseball remains uncertain for the 2025 season. In a related development, Diamond struck a deal with Comcast that reinstated its games in August, although this arrangement places Diamond channels on a premium tier for subscribers. The financial implications of this deal for Diamond are still unclear, as the contract details have not been made public. The new agreements with the NBA and NHL highlight Diamond's ongoing efforts to stabilize its operations and provide value to its partners while serving local sports fans. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are expected to have an over-the-air broadcast deal for the upcoming season on WVUE-TV.