NBA Relationship With Main Street Sports Group Threatened by Missed January Payments
nba-relationship-with-main-street-sports-group-threatened-by-missed-january-payments
The NBA’s future with regional broadcaster Main Street Sports Group is in doubt after the company failed to make its scheduled January rights-fee payments, several sources told Sports Business Journal.
The network, which is in the process of being sold to DAZN, had already missed a December payment to Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Cardinals. After that lapse, the NBA league office alerted the 13 franchises under contract with Main Street that their January checks might not arrive. Several clubs confirmed this week that no funds were received.
Default Process Under Way
Default notices have been issued to Main Street, triggering a 15-day period to cure the missed payments. Game broadcasts are continuing on the company’s FanDuel Sports Networks for now.
“Main Street Sports Group is in dialogue with its team and league partners around the timing of rights payments as we progress discussions with strategic partners to further enhance our long-term capital position,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
Contracts Provide Limited Protection
The 13 NBA teams have provisions that position them as primary creditors should the broadcaster collapse, sources said. Main Street reportedly lost about $200 million in 2025 and still owes roughly $180 million to NBA clubs for the current season.
Sale to DAZN Faces Conditions
The proposed sale to DAZN depends on several factors, including acquisition of each team’s digital rights, contract extensions through at least the 2028-29 season, and potential reductions in annual fees.
If the transaction is not finalized this month, company executives have told stakeholders they intend to wind down operations after the NBA and NHL seasons conclude, though they hope to keep producing telecasts until then. Team officials are skeptical Main Street can finance the remainder of the schedule and are preparing emergency broadcast plans.
“The league could stream the games, and teams could shift to over-the-air channels,” one club executive said. “But the revenue gets crushed. You’ll never recoup the rest of that money.”
What Happens If Main Street Shuts Down?
Should the network dissolve, digital rights would revert to the individual teams, potentially easing the path for a national streaming solution. If DAZN completes the acquisition, operations would largely remain intact aside from rebranding, but new contract extensions would still be required. Current agreements with the Grizzlies, Hornets and Magic expire after this season, while deals with the other 10 clubs run through 2026-27.
2025-26 Rights-Fee Commitments
Team payments scheduled for the 2025-26 season total more than $300 million:
- 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 NBA, teams and Main Street are expected to revisit next steps once the 15-day cure window closes later this month.
Source: Hoops Rumors
