DAZN's pursuit of Main Street Sports Group has reached a critical juncture, with a potential deal hanging in the balance. The fate of nine MLB teams and 20 NBA and NHL teams is at stake, and the sports world is watching with bated breath.
Sources reveal that DAZN, despite initial setbacks, has remained in contact with MLB as the deadline to secure funding for Main Street approaches. A meeting between the two parties is scheduled for next week, where the future of baseball's media rights and the potential acquisition of Main Street will be discussed. This meeting could be a make-or-break moment for Main Street's struggling business.
But here's where it gets controversial...
The teams affiliated with Main Street are anxious about their future. None of the NBA and NHL teams received their rights fee payments on January 1st, and Main Street has proposed a 20% reduction and a deferral until the second or third quarter. With the season just around the corner, the MLB teams have made their stance clear: no new financing by February 1st means they're out.
The NBA and NHL teams share similar concerns, believing that Main Street will likely shutter by February 1st, leaving them without full rights fee payments for the year. In this worst-case scenario, the leagues have contingency plans in place.
For the NBA, sources indicate that the league would direct its 13 Main Street teams to find local broadcast partners and stream games on NBA League Pass for home fans. The NHL, under the same circumstances, would prioritize an over-the-air model for its Main Street teams, with some teams already utilizing free ad-supported streaming platforms like Victory+.
And this is the part most people miss...
The potential acquisition of Main Street by DAZN is seen by many teams as a dead-end scenario. Both MLB and the NBA have plans to launch their own national streaming RSNs by the 2028 and 2027-28 seasons, respectively. This means that if DAZN buys Main Street, it could be a short-lived partnership unless teams renew their deals.
As for the NBA, the Grizzlies, Hornets, and Magic have expiring deals with Main Street after this season, potentially reducing the basketball total to 10 teams. In baseball, sources say Main Street believes it can finalize deals with six clubs if a guarantor emerges this month: the Braves, Rays, Cardinals, Tigers, Royals, and Brewers. This could leave the Marlins, Reds, and Angels searching for new partnerships.
The Cardinals, however, are almost certain to have their games moved to MLB Media, with sources stating that their continued engagement with DAZN/Main Street is solely due to the slim chance of a competitive last-minute rights fee offer.
The most critical locations for FanDuel Sports Network are those with multiple Main Street teams. For example, if the Tigers leave Main Street, the Pistons and Red Wings would be the only remaining teams at FanDuel Sports Network Detroit. Losing over 100 Tiger broadcasts could breach the network's affiliate contract, which requires a minimum number of major sporting events.
In such a scenario, the Pistons, still under contract with Main Street until the 2027-28 season, could legally drop the network. The same applies to the Bucks, whose contract expires after the 2026-27 season, if the Brewers leave FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. These franchises are standing on uncertain ground.
Sources indicate that if DAZN and its owner, Sir Len Blavatnik, back out of the purchase, Main Street has hinted at a potential second buyer. However, industry sources suggest that Fubo, previously rumored to be the second bidder, is no longer considered a viable candidate.
The sports world awaits with anticipation as the deadline looms, wondering if DAZN will step up to save Main Street or if the teams will need to find new homes.
