Amazon Prime in talks to live stream Bally Sports broadcasts from 13 NBA franchises

According to Josh Kosman of The New York Post, Amazon Prime is in talks to become a major regional sports channel for the NBA, MLB and NHL. It could also stream live Bally Sports for 13 NBA franchises.

Amazon Prime could secure all Bally Sports broadcasts for 13 NBA franchises, five MLB teams and nine NHL teams

The tech giant will also stream games from five MLB teams and nine NHL teams. Terms of the contract between Amazon and Diamond Sports, the bankrupt company that owns the Bally Sports brand, were not disclosed.

“The Seattle-based e-tailing giant led by Jeff Bezos is in the final stages of negotiations for a contract to livestream all Bally Sports broadcasts from 13 NBA franchises, as well as five MLB teams and nine NHL teams, on Amazon Prime this coming season, sources close to the situation said,” Kosman wrote.

Amazon Inks Major Deal to Broadcast NBA, MLB, NHL Games on Prime Streaming: Sources https://t.co/duCwpxmi5w photo.twitter.com/tdvmeP3shP

— NY Post Business (@nypostbiz) September 5, 2024

Under the agreement, Amazon would air all NBA games not televised nationally for the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.

The new streaming service could launch next month with the start of the NHL and NBA seasons. Fans will pay about $20 a month for access to their home team’s local games through Amazon Prime. This means fans with Prime accounts will no longer need a cable subscription to watch local games.

Bally, however, will continue to broadcast the games on cable networks across the country. Last month, Amazon reportedly backed out of a deal to invest $115 million in Diamond.

Tech giant announced its 11-year contract with the NBA and WNBA in July

Diamond has the digital streaming rights to five MLB teams on its Bally’s network: the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays.

Additionally, Bally Sports broadcasts local games for the Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers. Those contracts expire at the end of the current season.

According to Kosman, his sources said that Amazon is now in talks to air all local NHL games this season for the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Amazon is currently streaming NHL Prime Monday Hockey Night live in Canada.

In July, Amazon announced its 11-year deal with the NBA and WNBA, making the company the exclusive streaming service for 66 nationally televised regular-season games beginning in the 2025-26 season. The agreement also includes playoff games.

Diamond, which operates under the name Bally Sports, will change its name when it goes bankrupt in November.