In a potential game-changer for sports fans, Amazon is reportedly in talks to take over the in-market streaming rights for several Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), and National Hockey League (NHL) teams currently broadcast by Bally Sports.
This news comes just weeks after Amazon reportedly walked away from a $115 million deal to acquire streaming rights for certain NBA teams from Bally Sports. However, it appears the tech giant is back at the negotiating table, potentially eyeing a more expansive agreement with a new deal that will likely have different terms than the original deal.
The New York Post reports that the deal could see Bally Sports’ streaming service migrate from its own apps onto the Amazon platform. While Bally Sports currently has the rights to strike such a deal for its NBA teams, talks are also reportedly underway to include local MLB and NHL game broadcasts.
For now, these discussions remain in the early stages, and the outcome is uncertain. However, for Bally Sports, which has been grappling with bankruptcy for over a year, this deal could provide the much-needed financial lifeline to emerge from its financial troubles.
If the deal comes to fruition, it would significantly expand Amazon’s presence in the live sports streaming arena, potentially reshaping the way fans consume local sports content. The move could also accelerate the cord-cutting trend, as viewers increasingly opt for streaming services over traditional cable packages.
Stay tuned as further developments unfold in this potentially transformative deal for the sports streaming landscape.