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Fubo pursues 13 NBA teams with massive streaming deal announcement
TL;DR
Fubo is targeting 13 NBA teams after their split from Main Street Sports Group, aiming to establish a new regional sports network model. This move could transform local game broadcasts as early as next season.
Local sports broadcasting is in the middle of a shakeup, and Fubo just entered the picture as a serious player.
The Disney-backed streaming platform is making a run at the 13 NBA teams left scrambling after their split from Main Street Sports Group, according to the Sports Business Journal.
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The company is exploring a hybrid regional sports network model that could change how local games get delivered to fans. If the plan works, it might reshape the viewing experience as soon as next season.
The platform reached out to a long list of franchises. That group includes the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, and San Antonio Spurs.
General view of a NBA Amazon Prime broadcast camera
If enough teams sign on, Fubo could launch a short-term RSN similar to what Main Street offered. From there, the company wants to become the NBA’s centralized streaming hub, possibly by the 2027-28 season when the league rolls out its aggregated platform.
Until recently, most teams weighed their options between DAZN and Victory+, or considered going with over-the-air local channels paired with direct-to-consumer launches through ViewLift or Kiswe.
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Fubo’s arrival shifted that conversation. Multiple teams are now taking the proposal seriously, and momentum is building. Decisions could start coming together as early as Friday.
At the same time, league officials are pushing for answers. They want to know by the end of the week whether Amazon and YouTube TV are ready to move forward on a national streaming RSN for the 2026-27 season.
Fubo’s three-part proposal to NBA teams hinges on major buy-in
Details view of the San Antonio Spurs logo
Fubo’s proposal is complicated, and there are multiple moving parts. Sources say the plan starts with Fubo trying to get a majority of the 13 teams to bundle their media rights, though the exact number needed remains unclear.
That would let Fubo negotiate direct-to-distributor linear deals with providers like Comcast and Charter Communications. Local over-the-air agreements in each market are also possible, but Fubo is not pushing that route.
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If enough teams don’t participate, sources say the whole thing could fall apart. From there, Fubo would stream games on its own platform and position itself as a candidate for a national RSN role in 2027-28.
Teams would also get an opt-out clause after next season, or later if the NBA launches a national platform. That flexibility comes with a catch though. Teams that leave early would have to repay part of their rights fees.
The league already told teams to include one-year opt-outs in local deals with that broader plan in mind.
Q&A
Which 13 NBA teams is Fubo pursuing for a streaming deal?
Fubo is pursuing the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, and San Antonio Spurs.
What changes could Fubo's streaming deal bring to local NBA broadcasts?
Fubo's hybrid regional sports network model could significantly change how local NBA games are delivered to fans, potentially reshaping the viewing experience.
Why did the 13 NBA teams split from Main Street Sports Group?
The article does not specify the reasons for the split, but it indicates that the teams are now seeking new broadcasting partnerships, with Fubo stepping in as a potential solution.
