Amazon is in talks to become a major player in regional sports broadcasts for the NBA, MLB and NHL, a surprise deal that could upend the way fans have watched their local teams for decades, The Washington Post has learned.
Jeff Bezos' Seattle-based online retail giant is in final stages of negotiations on a deal to livestream all Bally Sports broadcasts for 13 NBA teams, five MLB teams and nine NHL teams on Amazon Prime this season, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The new streaming service could launch next month in time for the start of the NHL and NBA seasons, with fans paying around $20 a month to access local games from their hometown teams via Prime, according to sources.
Importantly, fans who use the Amazon Prime service will no longer need to purchase a cable TV subscription to watch local games.
Sources said the move could lead to more cable cancellations, but Barrie plans to continue broadcasting its games on cable stations nationwide.
Rumors have been circulating for months about a deal between Amazon and Diamond Sports, the bankrupt company that owns the Bally's brand, the nation's largest regional sports network.
Last month, Amazon Withdraws from $115 million diamond investment dealIt remains unclear whether Amazon will close all negotiations.
Financial terms of the deal with Amazon, which is currently in discussions, could not immediately be disclosed. The sources said it is not an exclusive agreement and that Amazon could make deals with other platforms, including YouTube, to further expand into live sports streaming.
Amazon, Diamond and MLB declined to comment.
The Diamonds, who have been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since March 2023, are hoping that their streaming deal with Amazon and other agreements approved by a judge on Wednesday with the NBA and NHL for the new season will be enough to convince the court to allow them to emerge from bankruptcy in November, the people said.
The deal will see Amazon broadcast all non-nationally broadcast NBA games 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.
it is The 11-year deal, announced by Amazon in July, Signed deals with the NBA and WNBA to become the exclusive streaming service for 66 nationally broadcast regular season games beginning with the 2025-2026 season, including playoff games.
Diamond holds the digital streaming rights to five MLB teams on Bally's Network: the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays. Bally's also currently broadcasts local games for the Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers, but those deals expire at the end of this season.
The distribution deal with Amazon could allow the Diamonds to reach new streaming deals with the latter three teams, the people said. MLB has expressed interest in launching its own streaming network and reserves the right to challenge the Bally's restructuring, the people said.
Still, if Diamond goes ahead with the deal with Amazon, it could block any MLB objections, sources said. Each team has the right to negotiate its own media deals. Amazon owns 15% of the YES Network locally, which broadcasts one Yankees game each week.
In the NHL, Amazon is currently in negotiations to broadcast all local games this season for the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning, people familiar with the matter said.
Amazon is currently streaming NHL Prime Monday Hockey Night live in Canada.
There is also a Thursday night NFL game package, which includes playoff games.
To emerge from bankruptcy, Diamond will need to convince a judge that it remains a viable business.
The argument, according to people familiar with the matter, is that going through Amazon will allow it to significantly increase the number of subscribers.
Diamond's junior creditors, including Prudential and Fidelity, are expected to provide financing to the company and take over its operations if it emerges from bankruptcy.
Diamond's Bally's is also expected to change its name after emerging from bankruptcy, and gambling site FanDuel is said to be interested in a naming rights deal, sources said.
