Report: Bally Sports might axe OKC Thunder broadcast ahead of 2024-25 season

A little over two months before the 2024-25 season starts, the Oklahoma City Thunder may need a backup plan for broadcasting their games.

The Diamond Sports Group — also known as Bally Sports — might trim five NBA teams from their deals if they survive bankruptcy, per the Sports Business Journal.

One of those five squads is the Oklahoma City Thunder. The other four teams who could get axed are the New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies and Detroit Pistons

The company is expected to keep deals with the other 10 teams broadcasting its games on Bally Sports. The Thunder declined to comment on the situation to the Sports Business Journal.

The Bally Sports saga has spanned years at this point. It filed for bankruptcy in March 2023. It was reported in Nov. 2023 that the Thunder could leave Bally Sports as soon as this offseason.

During last season, the Thunder broadcasted a handful of contests via local airwaves. This could be an alternative plan if OKC and Bally Sports fail to reach next season under a deal.

It’d be an efficient avenue to make Thunder games more accessible. Local fans only need an antenna to stream the contests throughout the season and avoid subscription headaches.