Suns, Mercury keep games on free TV statewide through 2028
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The Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury have signed a two-year extension with Gray Media that will keep all games available free over the air across Arizona through the 2027-28 season, the organizations announced Friday.
People familiar with the agreement told ESPN the new pact is valued at more than $30 million per year, matching the revenue the franchises forfeited when they exited a long-standing deal with the financially troubled Diamond Sports Group in 2023.
“It’s been a win-win,” owner Mat Ishbia said in an interview. “We wanted to do right by the fans and make the games more accessible. When you grow your fan base, good things happen.”
Audience growth fuels contract
Since moving to free broadcast television, local ratings for Suns games have more than doubled, while viewership for the Mercury has climbed 425 percent amid broader gains for the WNBA. The teams also created the Suns+ direct-to-consumer streaming service and distributed complimentary antennas to help fans pick up the over-the-air signal.
Shift away from regional sports networks
The Suns were the first NBA club to abandon a regional sports network (RSN) partner after Diamond Sports filed for bankruptcy protection. Several others — including the Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans — later adopted similar over-the-air strategies as cord-cutting continues to erode the RSN model.
Leaguewide, RSN turbulence is occurring alongside a new 11-year, $77 billion national media package that begins this season. NBA teams are set to receive roughly $145 million each from national rights, but local shortfalls persist. Earlier this year, the New York Knicks cut their local agreement with MSG Networks by $41 million for 2025-26, according to Sportico.
Over the next two seasons, RSN contracts for 18 NBA franchises will expire, and the league is evaluating broadcast and streaming alternatives. “Everyone wanted to wait and see,” Ishbia said. “Hopefully this can be a blueprint for other teams.”
Source: ESPN
