The Cleveland Cavaliers will have a local broadcast home for at least another season, according to a report from the Sports Business Journal.
The team, which was one of eight NBA teams to enjoy a ratings increase for this past season, has opted to stay with the FanDuel Sports Network for at least next season.
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It’s good news for fans despite the team’s second-round bow out from the NBA playoffs May 13 against the Indiana Pacers. Those fans watched in droves this season as the Cavs topped that list of teams with TV ratings increases despite a tough go for many teams on the local television front.
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According to John Ourand of the website Puck, local TV ratings declined by 13% on average across the league, while Cavs viewership rose by 60%. Those numbers for the Cavs would lead anyone to believe those rights are a goldmine and, for now, the team and Main Street Sports, the entity that emerged from the bankruptcy of the Diamond Sports Group, are in a win-win situation.
Cavaliers guards Darius Garland (left) and Donovan Mitchell react during the second half against the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 in the second round of the NBA playoffs, May 13, 2025, in Cleveland.
The only thing that’s constant is change in sports league and TV rights
However, that may not last for long. While, according to reports, Main Street mandated a two-year commitment from teams that opted back into their deals, it’s unclear whether they received that guarantee and with good reason.
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While lower ratings potentially translate to lower revenue, the NBA will hit the motherlode with its national contracts next season – and the league, despite a 2% decrease in national ratings, plays really well on that level. Their $76 billion contract, which is worth $142 million to each team yearly (with 7% annual increases) over the course of its 11-year length, begins next season.
Additionally, the regional sports network model, with respect to the NBA at least, could potentially be squeezed further.
Tom Friend of Sports Business Journal reported recently the league is seeking a national streaming solution for local games and is engaging in negotiations with streaming companies for those rights.
It may no longer be apropos to use the term in the current flux in broadcasting, but stay tuned.
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George M. Thomas covers a myriad of things including sports and pop culture, but mostly sports, he thinks, for the Beacon Journal.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavs opt in to TV deal with FanDuel for next season