NBA’s Local TV Rights Draw Interest From Tech Giants, Disney
- Tech, media companies could take over games from Bally Sports
- Bankruptcy of regional sports broadcaster puts rights in play
Jaden Ivey of the Detroit Pistons plays against Jabari Smith Jr., left, and Jermaine Samuels Jr. , right, of the Houston Rockets during a NBA Summer League game in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 9.
Photographer: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Walt Disney Co., Apple Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and YouTube have expressed interest in streaming local NBA games, potentially taking over rights now held by a broadcaster in bankruptcy, people familiar with the matter said.
The media and tech giants are open to acquiring local rights held by Diamond Sports Group, but only if they can obtain a critical mass of teams, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private talks. DirecTV, the satellite-TV provider, has also expressed interest, two people said.