Amid uncertainty, here’s what we know about the Mavericks’ local television options (2024)

The Dallas Mavericks are almost a full month away from their first preseason game of the 2024-25 season, but how fans are going to watch it is still a mystery.

The team is without a local broadcaster after Diamond Sports Group, the parent company of Bally Sports regional sports networks, terminated its contract last month.

The Mavericks hinted at a possible change in distribution networks on Aug. 16, when they revealed their four-game preseason schedule and said broadcast information would be announced at a later date.

A person familiar with the team’s ongoing local television rights distribution plans recently told The Dallas Morning News that plans are “still being worked on, but the mission is widespread distribution.”

Dallas is one of many professional teams attempting to navigate the modern television landscape, as linear options fade out and streaming services emerge as the new normal.

The Mavericks will appear on national TV 30 times during the 2024-25 season, which is tied for fifth-most in the NBA behind the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. The national buzz follows the team’s playoff run to the NBA Finals and the blockbuster acquisition of Klay Thompson.

Here’s a brief summary of what we know and don’t know about the Mavericks’ local television options:

What’s the deal with Diamond Sports Group and Bally Sports?

Diamond Sports Group is an American media and entertainment company that operates Bally Sports, a group of regional sports channels formerly known as the Fox Sports Networks.

Thirteen NBA teams will broadcast their games on Bally this season, including the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, LA Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs.

Why did Diamond Sports Group terminate its contract with the Mavericks?

The termination is part of the longtime media company’s bankruptcy saga that began in March 2023.

Diamond also cut ties with the New Orleans Pelicans.

An NBA spokesperson provided The Dallas Morning News with a statement following the new agreement with Diamond Sports Group.

“The Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans declined to continue distributing their games on Diamond RSNs and will share more details soon on how to watch games for the upcoming season in their respective markets. This new agreement is subject to approval by the bankruptcy court.”

Did we see this coming?

Mavericks minority shareholder Mark Cuban said at an event last month, according to WFAA-TV, that if Bally Sports didn’t renew its contract, the franchise would do what it can to maximize distribution.

“We still have a contract with [Bally], so we have to see how that plays out,” Cuban said Aug. 9. “But at least what’s been reported publicly, Bally ... is probably not going to renew with the Mavs and if that happens ... we’ll do what we can to maximize the distribution.”

What are the New Orleans Pelicans doing?

The Pelicans have reportedly agreed to a multi-year partnership with Gray Television to broadcast future games. Gray aired several of their games near the end of last season after Bally Sports allowed NBA teams under contract to sell the broadcast rights of 10 games to local affiliates.

The Phoenix Suns also distributed the majority of their games on linear television with their own Gray Television local affiliates.

What are the Mavericks’ options?

The Mavericks could consider again partnering with TEGNA, WFAA’s parent company, which broadcast the final 10 games of the regular season, allowing Dallas-Fort Worth fans to watch their favorite team play for free.

The team could also partner with the Stars, who ended their rights agreement with Bally Sports and will launch a direct-to-consumer streaming service, Victory+, that will allow in-market fans to watch games for free this season. Victory+ considers in-market fans anyone who lives in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, or Arkansas.

Or the Mavs could launch their own streaming service similar to Victory+.

Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.