Major streaming platform purchases minority stake in Bally Sports' parent company
A major streaming platform has purchased a minority stake in a U.S. broadcasting group that was facing bankruptcy.
It's been a roller coaster of a year for Diamond Sports Group and Bally Sports, who is the broadcaster for just over three dozen professional sports teams in the United States.
Last spring, it was revealed that Diamond Sports Group and Bally Sports were planning to file for bankruptcy, which would have left all of those teams, including 11 NHL franchises, without a local broadcaster.
Just before Christmas, the National Hockey League reached an agreement with Diamond Sports Group to allow Bally Sports to continue to broadcast for those 11 franchises until the end of the 2023-24 season.
Beyond 2023-24, it was unclear what local broadcasts would look like for the 11 NHL teams, and 26 other professional sports franchises, but now, according to Joe Pompliano, a major streaming service has stepped up in a big way.
Pompliano is reporting that Amazon has purchased a minority stake in Diamond Sports Group which will see games be shown on Amazon Prime.
The regional sports network filed for bankruptcy last year, putting local media rights for 37 teams across the NBA, MLB, and NHL in jeopardy.
Now, customers can watch games on Amazon Prime."
This is great news for all teams involved including the 11 NHL franchises - Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers.
| POLL | ||
For those who live in a market with Bally Sports - Will you watch the games on Amazon Prime? | ||
| Yes | 109 | 44.5 % |
| No | 98 | 40 % |
| See Results | 38 | 15.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
