Pelicans In Talks To Move Move Away From Bally Sports; Could Others Follow?

For fans in some markets, NBA games are hard to watch.

Teams in a number of cities have their games broadcast on the Bally Sports regional networks, but Bally is at a standoff with a number of popular live TV streaming services, including YouTube TV and Hulu Live.

At least one team is looking into doing something about it, as the Pelicans are talking to NBC Sports about potentially carrying their games, per Christian Clark of NOLA.com.

Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and president Dennis Lauscha met with the NBC Sports Regional Networks president after the team’s final game before the All-Star break on Thursday. It appears a move away from Bally is being strongly considered.

“The team is entertaining all options as the goal is maximum access for our fans to consume Pelicans basketball over the air and online,” the Pelicans said in a statement, via Clark. “We need to go where our fans are.”

YouTube TV, Hulu Live and other streaming services don’t currently carry Bally regional networks, but do carry those owned by NBC Sports.

This would be a bold — but perhaps wise — move for NBA teams that are looking to increase their local viewership. With cable becoming a thing of the past, a lot of fans who can’t attend games are being left in the dark when it comes to watching home team.

And Bally is in its second full season of not having its NBA games broadcast by the largest live TV streaming services.

It makes you wonder, if the Pelicans make the move, would it open the door for others to follow suit? Answer: You had better believe it would.

Bally currently has local NBA broadcast rights for half of the NBA’s 30 teams. Along with the Pelicans, Bally carries games for the Cavaliers, Suns, Pistons, Pacers, Timberwolves, Thunder, Clippers, Hawks, Hornets, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Spurs, Heat and Bucks.

Meanwhile, NBC Sports regionals have broadcast deals already in placer with the Celtics, Bulls, Warriors, 76ers and Wizards.

Can NBC Sports regionals add to their lineup before next season tips off? Stay tuned.