UPDATE: The Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury have just announced a groundbreaking two-year extension with Gray Media to broadcast their games free over the air across Arizona, effective through the 2027-28 season. This deal, valued at over $30 million per season, marks a significant victory for both teams after their departure from a troubled partnership with Diamond Sports in 2023.
This new contract is critical as it restores the essential revenue lost when the Suns and Mercury left Diamond Sports, which was facing bankruptcy. The deal reflects a remarkable surge in local ratings, with the Suns’ viewership more than doubling and the Mercury’s audience skyrocketing by an astonishing 425%.
“It’s been a win-win,” said Mat Ishbia, owner of both teams, in an exclusive statement to ESPN. “It was important to do right by the fans and make the games more accessible. When you grow your fanbase, good things happen.”
The decision to move away from traditional regional sports networks (RSNs) was bold and unorthodox, resulting in a lawsuit from Diamond Sports for breach of contract, which was later settled. The Suns took control of their broadcasts, offering over-the-air game coverage and even distributing free television antennas to fans. They also launched a streaming service called Suns+ to further enhance accessibility.
This shift comes amid a broader trend in the NBA, where other teams like the Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, and New Orleans Pelicans have followed suit, moving games to free local stations. The NBA is grappling with significant financial challenges as cord-cutting continues to impact RSNs, which are struggling to maintain viewership and revenue.
As the league prepares for a new 11-year, $77 billion national media rights deal starting this season, local TV revenue has taken a hit, prompting the NBA to slightly lower projected salary cap figures. Each NBA team is set to receive approximately $145 million from these rights deals, but varying reductions in local TV agreements have raised concerns.
For instance, the New York Knicks recently agreed to a $41 million reduction in their local TV deal for the 2025-26 season, now expecting a total of $107 million, down from a previously agreed $148 million. Ishbia emphasizes the importance of adapting to changing market conditions and believes the Suns and Mercury’s success can serve as a model for other teams.
With 18 NBA teams facing expiring RSN contracts in the coming two years, the league is actively exploring opportunities for both over-the-air and streaming options. “Everyone wanted to wait-and-see. It’s a big thing to take less local television money or even no money and trust it,” Ishbia stated. “Hopefully, this can be a blueprint for other NBA teams. You do right by the customer, and good things tend to happen.”
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the Suns and Mercury continue to redefine the broadcasting landscape in the NBA.