With the future of sports TV arriving at an uncertain juncture, one NBA and WNBA franchise are moving forward with a plan that feels like a blast from the past.
The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury have cut ties with Bally Sports Arizona, the regional sports carrier that has carried their games for 20 years. The plan for their upcoming seasons: A new deal with an over-the-air carrier that will televise games locally for free, with a streaming option also available at a yet-to-be-determined price.
Per ESPN, the new deal could cost the Suns "tens of millions" of dollars in yearly revenue in the form of rights fees they previously received from Bally's parent company Diamond Sports.