DAZN, the British streaming platform primarily focused on live sports, has entered into an agreement that will make it the exclusive digital home for the MSG Networks and YES Network during the 2026-27 NBA, NHL and MLB seasons.
The partnership announced on Wednesday, July 29 gives DAZN the direct-to-consumer streaming rights to regional broadcasts of games involving the New York Knicks, New York Yankees, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres.
“It is a defining moment for us and underscores our commitment to expanding our footprint in the United States,” DAZN CEO Shay Segev said in a statement.
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Segev confirmed to Sports Business Journal that DAZN is close to acquiring the rights to more NBA teams’ games for the 2026-27 regular season. The report cited sources stating DAZN is in talks to get the exclusive local broadcasting rights next season for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs. It is also negotiating for direct-to-consumer streaming-only arrangements with the Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic.
The deal with MSG Networks and YES Network comes as professional sports leagues confront the decline of regional sports networks and look for new distribution models and revenue streams. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this month in Las Vegas he expects to have a centralized solution for teams that are currently scrambling to find local carriers for their 2026-27 regular-season games.
DAZN, by virtue of Wednesday’s announcement, is now positioned as a potential candidate to helpthe NBA with its local broadcasting issues moving forward.
“We’ll cobble together a series of solutions for this season, but I feel good that we’ll have something on a national basis for the following year,” Silver told reporters.
What is DAZN?
DAZN, pronounced ‘da-zone,’ was founded in 2016 and has previously carried combat sports events and international soccer programming in the U.S. It has also served as a streaming platform for audiences outside the U.S. to watch American sports, with international rights to NFL, NBA, NHL and college football and basketball games throughout the year.
DAZN will also have 24/7 feeds of MSG, MSG Sportsnet and YES Network, in addition to on-demand access to highlights and original programming. Those who currently watch MSG Networks and YES Network through The Gotham Sports App will eventually be migrated onto DAZN’s platform, but the exact timing has been not disclosed yet.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DAZN lands MSG and YES streaming rights, eyes more NBA deals
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