Cavs fans hunt for games after RSN collapse
A new DAZN deal cuts costs by 43% but leaves viewers searching across streaming apps and satellite providers.
By Ethan Mitchell ·
Cleveland Cavaliers fans are struggling to find their team's games on television this season. Sports commentator Terry Pluto compared the experience to a floating craps game where the location is unpredictable. Viewers must check multiple services to determine if a broadcast is on Peacock or Prime Video.
The broadcast chaos stems from the unraveling of regional sports networks. The Cavs moved from SportsChannel Ohio to Fox Sports Ohio, then to Bally Sports and FanDuel. Main Street Sports Group announced it would end operations in 2026 after its parent company faced bankruptcy. This forced the team to secure a new broadcast partner.
The Cavaliers signed a multiyear contract with DAZN. The deal is reportedly worth about $20 million annually. This represents a 43% decrease from the value of the previous contract. DAZN initially offered 15 games for free streaming. The team also reached agreements with DirecTV and U-verse to expand access for traditional cable subscribers.
Pluto noted that this fragmentation is affecting the entire NBA. He stated that the problem started in baseball a year ago and is worsening. The Guardians faced similar issues after leaving Bally Sports Great Lakes following the 2024 season. They now partner with Major League Baseball to distribute games via CLEGuardians.TV, local cable, and free over-the-air broadcasts on WKYC.
The NFL has largely avoided these problems due to lucrative national television contracts. Pluto pointed out that the league has only 17 regular season games compared to 82 in basketball or 162 in baseball. This limited schedule makes it easier to maintain stable broadcasting arrangements.
The shift is particularly difficult for older fans who rely on traditional cable. Pluto recalled a cousin battling cancer who built his days around watching the Guardians. He emphasized that teams must consider how these changes affect loyal supporters. He noted that while the Guardians secured deals with Spectrum and DirecTV last year, the availability for the current season remains unclear.
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