Bally Sports regional sports networks will be rebranded to FanDuel as of Monday as part of a new partnership between Bally’s parent company, Diamond Sports Group, and the popular gaming platform.
FanDuel will have the exclusive right to name the group’s 16 regional sports networks as well as Diamond’s digital offerings as FanDuel Sports Network, according to a statement announcing the partnership Friday.
The regional sports networks broadcast games for eight Major League Baseball teams, eight NHL teams and 13 NBA teams.
As part of the agreement, Diamond’s newly rebranded networks will have access to FanDuel TV content like the “Up & Adams” show featuring host Kay Adams, additional sports betting shows and other sports content such as horse racing.
“Collaborating with FanDuel provides a tremendous pathway for Diamond to elevate the fan experience and deepen the incremental value we provide for our team, league and distribution partners,” Diamond Sports Group CEO David Preschlack said in Friday’s statement.
“This partnership reinforces opportunities to further strengthen the close connection our RSNs have with local fans, including enhancing our (direct-to-consumer) offering for a growing digital audience. In the meantime, having finalized agreements with the NBA, NHL and our key distributors, we remain focused on moving our business forward and driving value for our team partners and our stakeholders.”
The move comes as part of Diamond Sports Group’s March 2023 bankruptcy filing. Other recent moves as part of the bankruptcy proceedings include the group dropping contracts with the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans.
Diamond recently submitted to the court a reorganization plan that raised the possibility of only broadcasting one MLB team’s games (the Atlanta Braves), leaving 11 other MLB teams at risk of losing next season’s regional sports network contracts, but so far the only confirmed changes are to rebranding efforts.
Bally Sports Sun will reportedly be named FanDuel Sports Network Sun, while Bally Sports Florida will become FanDuel Sports Network Florida, according to the Miami Herald on Friday.
The Braves and Atlanta Hawks will reportedly now play on the newly christened FanDuel Sports Network South and FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported Friday.
–Field Level Media
