What's Happening?
The Memphis Grizzlies have announced a partnership with DAZN, a sports-focused streaming service, to become their local streaming partner starting with the 2026-27 NBA season. This move comes after Main Street Sports Group, which operated FanDuel Sports Network,
ceased operations, leaving the Grizzlies without a local television partner. Fans will be able to purchase a team-specific subscription through the DAZN app, with options for a full-season pass at $119.99 or a monthly subscription for $19.99. The price of the season pass will decrease as the season progresses, and a seven-day free trial will be offered at the beginning of the season. Additionally, the Grizzlies will make 15 games available for free over-the-air, marking the most free-to-air games in franchise history, with the local TV partner for these broadcasts to be announced later. Preseason games will also be available for free. The team's local broadcast team, including Pete Pranica, Brevin Knight, and Rob Fischer, will continue their roles.
Why It's Important?
This partnership signifies a significant shift in how NBA teams are delivering content to their local fan bases, moving away from traditional regional sports network models towards direct-to-consumer streaming. For the Grizzlies, it ensures continued local broadcast access for fans following the dissolution of their previous partner, FanDuel Sports Network. This strategy aims to cater to the growing number of sports viewers who prefer streaming services, with studies indicating that 70% of sports viewers use streaming, and 40% watch exclusively via streaming. The tiered subscription model and free game offerings are designed to maximize accessibility and attract a broader audience. This move also positions the Grizzlies alongside other NBA teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs, who have also adopted DAZN as a local streaming partner, indicating a broader trend in the league.
What's Next?
The partnership will officially commence with the start of the 2026-27 NBA season. Fans can anticipate the launch of the Grizzlies' team-specific subscription on the DAZN app, along with the availability of the seven-day free trial. The Grizzlies are expected to announce their local free-to-air television partner for the 15 free games in the near future. Season-ticket holders in the Grizzlies' MVP program will receive DAZN subscriptions at no additional cost, and early season pass purchasers before November 1 will receive two tickets to a Grizzlies game as an incentive. Beyond basketball, DAZN plans to collaborate with the Grizzlies to host a professional boxing event in Memphis in 2027, expanding the scope of this partnership beyond NBA games.
Beyond the Headlines
This shift to a streaming-centric model for local sports broadcasts highlights the ongoing disruption in the media landscape and the evolving consumption habits of sports fans. The decline of traditional regional sports networks and the rise of direct-to-consumer platforms present both opportunities and challenges for sports franchises. While it offers teams greater control over their content distribution and direct engagement with fans, it also requires navigating new technological and business models. The inclusion of free-to-air games alongside a subscription service represents a hybrid approach, attempting to balance revenue generation with broad community access. This strategy could serve as a blueprint for other professional sports teams looking to adapt to the changing media environment and reach a wider, digitally-native audience, while also maintaining a connection with traditional broadcast viewers.
