The San Antonio Spurs are making a significant shift in how fans will watch their games during the 2026-27 NBA season. The team has announced a partnership with DAZN, a global streaming service, to handle the majority of their local broadcasts. This move marks a departure from traditional cable television, as the Spurs join a growing trend among sports teams to embrace streaming platforms.
For many years, fans tuning in to watch the Spurs had to navigate through cable channels to catch the action. However, starting this season, following the young star Victor Wembanyama and his teammates will require fans to access the DAZN app on smart TVs, mobile devices, or game consoles. This transition reflects a broader shift in the sports broadcasting landscape, as more teams move away from regional sports networks.
Under the new agreement, DAZN will stream all 67 regular-season games not selected for national broadcasts, along with five preseason games. Frank Miceli, the chief commercial officer at Spurs Sports & Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "Partnering with DAZN gives Spurs fans an easy and innovative platform to follow Spurs game action and additional behind-the-scenes highlights." This collaboration aims to enhance the viewer experience as the Spurs look to engage their fanbase more effectively.
The Spurs' decision to partner with DAZN comes amid challenges faced by traditional regional sports networks. Last season, FanDuel Sports held the local broadcast rights for the Spurs, but the company faced financial difficulties, leading to a restructuring of contracts across various sports leagues. With FanDuel's parent company, Main Street Sports, unable to meet financial obligations, the Spurs found themselves in need of a new broadcasting partner.
DAZN, headquartered in London, has built a reputation in the streaming industry, initially focusing on sports like boxing, soccer, and MMA. As the local sports broadcasting sector undergoes a significant transformation, DAZN is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the market. The Spurs are not alone in this transition; other NBA teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and Cleveland Cavaliers, have also turned to DAZN for their streaming needs.
Shay Segev, the CEO of DAZN Group, highlighted the significance of the partnership, referring to the Spurs as "an iconic sports brand with deep roots in their community." He emphasized that this collaboration is a crucial step in DAZN's strategy to create a leading sports entertainment destination in the United States. The partnership promises to deliver live games along with additional content, such as pre- and post-game shows, highlights, and original programming, which aims to bring fans closer to the team.
While most Spurs broadcasts will transition to DAZN, the team will still air 22 games over-the-air through a local broadcast partner, which has yet to be determined. Fans can subscribe to the Spurs' "channel" on DAZN without needing access to the entire DAZN lineup, providing a pick-and-pay option similar to streaming services like Netflix. The subscription service is set to launch soon, covering Central, South, and West Texas, with a free seven-day trial available for new subscribers. Monthly subscriptions will be priced at $19.99, while a season pass will cost $119.99. Additionally, fans who join the Official Spurs Fan Club by September 9 will be eligible for an exclusive discount.
Leave a Comment