Where NBA and NHL Teams Went After FanDuel Sports Network Closed

NBA and NHL teams went to a mix of streaming services and free options

Financial problems led to the demise of both FanDuel Sports Network (FDSN) and Victory+ — two regional viewing options that allowed local fans to watch a bevy of NBA and NHL teams. With those platforms now gone, the affected teams had to quickly figure out where their games would air, and quickly.

A total of 20 teams — 13 NBA, seven NHL — were affected by FDSN shutting down.

In advance of the NBA and NHL regular seasons, CableTV.com reviewed every team that previously had media deals with FDSN and Victory+ and researched where they ended up. With so many channels and services out there, fans should know exactly where they can watch their favorite teams on TV.

The NBA and NHL landed on a mix of streaming and over-the-air (OTA) solutions. Some made deals with DAZN, others went with Amazon Prime Video, and many went the free route.

Where former FanDuel Sports Network NBA teams went

NBA teams that moved to DAZN

Eight NBA teams signed deals with DAZN for their local broadcast streaming rights. That signals the strength DAZN has in the market as the London-based streaming company continues to explore widening its reach.

Each team subscription starts at $19.99 per month, with higher-tier options available that include multiview features and additional streams.

Several DAZN teams are also offering a limited number of games for free through local broadcast partners, even though DAZN remains their primary streaming home. The table below shows where fans can stream most local games for each affected team.

Data effective as of post date.

NBA teams that moved most local games to free over-the-air TV

Six teams made free over-the-air television their primary local broadcast home after FanDuel Sports Network closed. In one really fun case, a local station in Orlando rebranded to include the “Magic” name.

This many NBA teams giving free access to games shows that it’s always been possible to create an inclusive, fan-centric viewing experience. But many franchises went the paid route, which has caused fans varying levels of frustration in recent years.

In-market fans of the teams below can watch most games with a digital antenna or whichever TV provider they already have that carries those networks.

Data effective as of post date.

The Oklahoma City Thunder did something a little different

The Thunder didn’t move to an OTA solution or DAZN. Instead, they essentially created their own regional sports network.

The Thunder Gameday Network is anchored by the new Thunder+ standalone streaming service and two Griffin Media channels. Fans can stream any non-nationally televised game on Thunder+, while pay-TV customers can watch on KSBI (52) and KQCW (The CW 19) in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, respectively.

An important note: KSBI and KQCW won’t carry every Thunder game free over the air. Ten regular-season games will be available OTA in Oklahoma City and Tulsa: six on KSBI and KQCW, plus four others on KWTV (9) and KOTV (6). That means local Thunder fans need Thunder+ or a participating TV provider to watch most in-market broadcasts.

What’s going on with the Los Angeles Clippers?

Good question. The answer: No one knows.

The Clippers were also a FanDuel team. But with the cap circumvention scandal and subsequent punishment, so many aspects of the franchise are up in the air — including their broadcast rights.

The team will have 11 games air on KTLA, but still doesn’t have a solution for anything beyond that.

Where affected NHL teams went

NHL teams that chose Amazon Prime Video

Depending on the market, fans will need either a free Amazon account and a paid team-network subscription or an Amazon Prime membership that includes local games at no extra cost. We break down the differences in the table below.

Keep in mind: Prime Video isn’t necessarily the only way to get these local broadcasts. Some team-branded networks are also available through participating TV providers like Fubo and Spectrum, while select games may air free over the air depending on the market.

Data effective as of post date.

Amazon already has rights to Thursday Night Football and several other sports, including the NBA and WNBA. The company’s move into regional broadcasting is an interesting development to watch, especially given what DAZN is currently trying to do in that space.

The Ducks also have a robust OTA offering

Anaheim is the only team of the six that will offer the majority of its 84-game schedule on OTA channels in tandem with Amazon. A total of 65 games will air on those channels: 61 on KCOP-TV (FOX Los Angeles+ 13) and four on KTTV (FOX 11).

Fans can access OTA channels with a digital antenna or through a cable, satellite, or live TV streaming provider.

Kings, Predators, and Red Wings did it their own way

Three NHL teams found unique ways to address local broadcasting rights.

The Los Angeles Kings went with DAZN for streaming, but still share the rebranded Angels Broadcast Television (ABTV) with the MLB’s Angels. The Nashville Predators expanded their partnership with Scripps Sports and went full OTA with WNPX-TV (The Spot – Nashville 28) and other channels.

The Detroit Red Wings joined the MLB’s Tigers on a new RSN: Detroit SportsNet.

MLB teams also had to move broadcast providers

Earlier in the year, nearly one-third of Major League Baseball teams entered into new broadcast agreements after FanDuel Sports Network closed.

Five teams partnered directly with MLB for local broadcast and distribution rights. Those teams were the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and St. Louis Cardinals. The Tampa Bay Rays partnered with MLB, but also had their games distributed on other cable, satellite, and live TV streaming providers.

The three other teams — Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, and Los Angeles Angels — either created their own networks or joined newly formed ones.

What does this shift say about the future of sports broadcast rights?

FanDuel Sports Network’s collapse and the shakeup at Victory+ were significant developments in the sports-rights landscape. Regional sports networks have long been a fixture of local fandom, and these changes add even more complexity to a world that already has too many ways to watch sports and not enough clarity.

RSN fees have been rising as more and more people cut the cord. FDSN’s collapse feels like another sign that the traditional RSN model is under serious pressure.

In some ways, that’s good for fans. More free OTA access can mean fewer extra fees. But RSNs provided convenience and peace of mind, particularly for pay-TV customers whose plans already carried them.

DAZN and Prime Video could be part of the solution. Then there’s newcomer BZZR. And of course, many teams have expanded partnerships with local over-the-air channels.

All this to say that we’re living through a huge inflection point in local sports viewing where it seems like fans want fewer options, not more. That could be partly why the NBA is working toward a central streaming hub for in-market games.

Whatever happens, it needs to happen relatively fast. Sports fans are getting fed up with all the changes and confusion. Just look at what’s happening with the Clippers.

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