Multiple professional sports teams from the NBA, NHL, and MLB have entered urgent discussions with the streaming platform Victory+ as a potential emergency alternative amid the ongoing financial instability surrounding Main Street Sports Group, the operator of the FanDuel Sports Network regional sports networks. This comes from a new report by Tom Friend of Sports Business Journal.
Main Street Sports Group, which rebranded after emerging from bankruptcy proceedings earlier in 2025, carries local broadcasts for 29 teams across the three major leagues. The company has faced persistent challenges, including missed rights fee payments to several partners and difficulties securing stable financing. Nine MLB franchises—the Angels, Braves, Brewers, Cardinals, Marlins, Reds, Royals, Rays, and Tigers—opted out of their agreements with Main Street earlier in January 2026. These teams set a firm deadline at the end of the month for the company to secure a buyer or credible financial backing, after which they would permanently depart. While Main Street has indicated it intends to fulfill production and distribution obligations through the conclusion of the current NBA and NHL seasons, widespread skepticism persists among partner teams regarding the company’s ability to meet upcoming payment deadlines, particularly those due in early February.
In response to this uncertainty, multiple franchises have initiated contingency planning by engaging directly with Victory+, a streaming service owned by A Parent Media Co. Victory+ already maintains established partnerships with certain teams previously affected by regional sports network disruptions. The NHL’s Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks air their games primarily through Victory+ on a free, ad-supported basis, expanding accessibility beyond traditional cable subscriptions. The MLB’s Texas Rangers integrate Victory+ as part of their distribution strategy, offering a subscription-based regional sports network alongside direct-to-consumer streaming options.
The Victory+ approach features flexible economic terms designed to appeal to teams seeking reliable alternatives. It incorporates modest initial rights fees combined with minimum guarantees, followed by revenue-sharing arrangements once viewership or other performance thresholds are achieved. This structure allows for shorter-term arrangements while providing pathways for gradual increases in compensation, potentially approaching previous regional sports network levels over time. Additional income streams could come from advertising, sponsorships, and supplementary content such as highlights or fan-oriented programming. The model emphasizes broader fan reach by combining over-the-air or broadcast elements with direct streaming, aiming to reduce dependence on declining cable ecosystems and enhance overall exposure for teams.
Industry observers note that Victory+ has demonstrated some success in its existing partnerships. The Dallas Stars have reported positive impacts on ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and overall fan engagement attributed in part to increased visibility through free streaming access. The Anaheim Ducks have experienced strong performance in areas like jersey sales despite on-ice challenges, suggesting that removing paywalls can drive commercial benefits. However, questions remain about the platform’s capacity to scale rapidly to accommodate a larger number of teams without significant compromises on rights fees, often described as a necessary “haircut” compared to historical regional sports network deals.
The broader context reflects ongoing turbulence in the regional sports network landscape. Traditional cable-based models have struggled with cord-cutting trends, reduced subscriber bases, and mounting debt burdens that once led to bankruptcy filings for predecessors of Main Street. Teams have grown increasingly proactive in seeking stability, whether through league-managed distribution, in-house production, or third-party streaming partners. Discussions with Victory+ represent one avenue in this shift toward digital-first solutions that prioritize accessibility and shared economic risks.
As the end-of-month deadline approaches for Main Street, the outcome could reshape local sports broadcasting for dozens of franchises. A successful sale or rescue—potentially involving entities like DAZN or others—might preserve the existing structure, but persistent doubts have accelerated exploration of alternatives like Victory+. This moment underscores the evolving nature of sports media rights, where flexibility, fan access, and reliable payments increasingly define viable paths forward in an industry undergoing profound change.
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