Main Street Sports Group, the company that runs FanDuel Sports Network, failed to deliver its scheduled January regional-sports-network (RSN) rights-fee payments to several NBA franchises, according to Sports Business Journal.
The NBA league office has notified all 13 clubs tied to Main Street that their monthly payments could be delayed. Sources said at least some of those organizations did not receive funds this week.
Default Notices Issued
Default letters have been dispatched, initiating a 15-day window for the company to make the missed payments once the notices are formally received. For now, game broadcasts are expected to continue.
Sale to DAZN in Limbo
Main Street is currently negotiating a sale to DAZN and is “in dialogue with its team and league partners around the timing of rights payments,” a spokesperson said. The company also recently missed a payment to Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals.
Financial Pressure Mounts
Team officials told Sports Business Journal that contractual protections would push rights-fee obligations directly to the clubs if Main Street collapses. The outlet reported the operator lost roughly $200 million in 2025 and still owes about $180 million for the current NBA season.
If the DAZN deal is not finalized this month, Main Street executives have signaled the firm may wind down after the NBA and NHL seasons. Some partner teams are skeptical the company can afford to produce telecasts that long.
Future of Digital Rights
An outright dissolution would return streaming and digital rights to the individual teams, potentially speeding up the creation of a national streaming RSN model. Should DAZN complete the purchase, existing broadcasts would largely remain intact, though several contracts are set to expire after the 2025-26 campaign.
Teams Under Contract for 2025-26
Rights-fee commitments per season:
- Atlanta Hawks — $32 million
- Charlotte Hornets — $16.57 million
- Cleveland Cavaliers — $34 million
- Detroit Pistons — $25.78 million
- Indiana Pacers — $17.47 million
- Los Angeles Clippers — $34.59 million
- Memphis Grizzlies — $11.41 million
- Miami Heat — $55 million
- Milwaukee Bucks — $24 million
- Minnesota Timberwolves — $24.88 million
- Oklahoma City Thunder — $16.67 million
- Orlando Magic — $26.19 million
- San Antonio Spurs — $19.92 million
The situation remains fluid as Main Street seeks additional capital and works to finalize its sale.
Source: Hoops Wire
