Which Companies Will Next Carry FanDuel’s NBA And NHL Teams? (Amazon, Apple, ESPN?)

Key Takeaways

• FanDuel RSN closing after current NBA/NHL seasons
• 13 NBA and 7 NHL teams become rights free agents
• Amazon likely candidate due to existing NBA streaming partnership
• Apple and ESPN also eyeing regional sports rights
• League‑run streaming service unlikely before 2027‑28 season

Summary

Main Street Sports, owner of the FanDuel Sports Network, will shut down its regional sports network (RSN) at the end of the current NBA and NHL seasons, freeing the broadcast rights for 13 NBA and 7 NHL teams. The leagues could launch a national streaming service, but that is unlikely until the 2027‑28 season. Amazon, already holding an 11‑year national NBA streaming deal, is seen as the frontrunner to acquire these local rights, with Apple and ESPN also in contention. The move reshapes the regional sports landscape as traditional cable providers lose footholds.

Pulse Analysis

The collapse of FanDuel Sports Network marks the latest chapter in the broader decline of regional sports networks, which have struggled against cord‑cutting and rising streaming costs. As Main Street Sports winds down its RSN operations, the immediate concern for the NBA and NHL is securing reliable distribution for the affected markets. Historically, local broadcast deals have been a cornerstone of league revenue, and the sudden availability of these rights creates a competitive bidding environment that could drive up overall valuations.

Streaming powerhouses are poised to capitalize on this opportunity. Amazon, already entrenched with an 11‑year national NBA streaming agreement, offers a seamless extension into local markets, leveraging its Prime Video infrastructure and massive subscriber base. Apple, with its growing sports portfolio and high‑margin ecosystem, and ESPN, which still commands a strong brand in sports broadcasting, are also likely contenders. Their interest reflects a strategic shift: acquiring regional rights not only expands content libraries but also deepens subscriber engagement, a critical metric as ad‑supported models wane.

While the leagues have floated the idea of a league‑run streaming service, logistical challenges and the need for robust in‑market feeds push that timeline to at least 2027‑28. In the interim, the redistribution of rights will affect advertisers, who must adapt to fragmented audiences across multiple OTT platforms, and fans, who may need new subscriptions to follow their hometown teams. Ultimately, the transition underscores the accelerating migration from traditional cable to direct‑to‑consumer models, reshaping the economics of professional sports broadcasting for years to come.