Cord-Cutting NBA Fans vs. Sinclair Broadcasting #FBarryFaber
As the NBA 2020–21 Season begins this week, NBA Cord-Cutting fans with Hulu, YouTube TV, fubo TV, Philo TV, Sling, Dish and others will be cursing at their screens unable to watch the opening night of their NBA Team. The agreements with Sinclair Broadcast Groups’ (NASDAQ: SBGI) Regional Sports Networks have terminated and it does not appear Barry Faber, its controversial President, Distribution and Network Licensing and Broadcasting will be negotiating these agreements anytime soon.
In November 2020, Sinclair wrote down the value as an impairment loss of its regional sports network by $4.23 Billion and announced an agreement with Bally’s Corporation (NYSE: BALY) for a partnership to integrate sports betting into the live regional sports network to be re-branded as Bally’s Sports Network. Sinclair also says it will be offering standalone products in 2021. Although until that time, streaming customers will not be able to watch their home team games and they may be pressured to return to AT&T or Comcast Xfinity that have licenses with Sinclair. Eve NBA League Pass subscribers due to the NBA blackout rules will not be able to watch their home games live.
Here’s a list of NBA Teams affected and as technology-savvy cord-cutting early adopters search for unconventional alternative streaming options, maybe the opening night of the NBA 2021 should be more about Sinclair and Barry Faber #FBarryFaber.
Atlanta Hawks — Fox Sports South/Fox Sports Southeast
Brooklyn Nets — YES Network
Charlotte Hornets — Fox Sports Southeast
Cleveland Cavaliers — Fox Sports Ohio
Dallas Mavericks — Fox Sports Southwest
Detroit Pistons — Fox Sports Detroit
Los Angeles Clippers — Fox Sports Prime Ticket/Fox Sports West
Los Angeles Lakers — Spectrum SportsNet
Memphis Grizzlies — Fox Sports Southeast
Miami Heat — Fox Sports Sun
Milwaukee Bucks — Fox Sports Wisconsin
Minnesota Timberwolves — Fox Sports North
Orlando Magic — Fox Sports Florida
Phoenix Suns — Fox Sports Arizona
San Antonio Spurs — Fox Sports Southwest
