Main Street Sports Group plans to wind down operations of its FanDuel Sports Network following the first round of the NHL playoffs, a move that will disrupt local broadcasts for 13 NBA teams and accelerate the league’s shift toward a new media future.
The shutdown comes after the company reportedly missed rights payments to teams for 2026, prompting the National Basketball Association to inform affected franchises they will likely receive partial reimbursement for lost fees. Teams were briefed on the situation during a league call this week.
According to The Orlando Sentinel, among those impacted are the Orlando Magic, along with the Hawks, Hornets, Heat, Cavaliers, Pacers, Pistons, Bucks, Grizzlies, Clippers, Timberwolves, Spurs and Thunder — all of whom rely on FanDuel Sports Network for local game distribution.
The league has advised teams they may begin negotiating new in-market media deals for the 2026–27 season. However, the NBA is encouraging short-term agreements — ideally one-year deals or contracts with opt-out clauses — as it prepares for a potential direct-to-consumer national streaming platform targeted for the 2027–28 season.
Despite the uncertainty, the franchise says fans will not lose access. “Orlando Magic games will continue to be broadcast without interruption for our fans across Central Florida and beyond,” said Joel Glass, the team’s chief communications officer, emphasizing a commitment to a seamless viewing experience regardless of platform changes.
Orlando’s regular-season finale on April 12 at Boston is expected to mark its final broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network Florida.
The timing of the shutdown also reflects broader changes in the NBA’s media landscape. Under new national rights agreements with ESPN/ABC, NBC, and Amazon, regional sports networks no longer carry first-round playoff games alongside national broadcasts. Additionally, the NBA Play-In Tournament now streams exclusively on Amazon’s Prime Video.
In a statement, Main Street Sports Group said it has secured agreements with the NBA and NHL to continue airing games through the end of the NBA regular season and the first round of the National Hockey League playoffs, after which it expects to cease operations unless a last-minute strategic deal emerges.
The company said it is “pleased to finish out the NBA and NHL seasons” and expressed appreciation for its partnerships with leagues, teams, and local audiences.
Bottom line: The planned shutdown of FanDuel Sports Network marks another major blow to the regional sports network model, forcing teams to find short-term distribution solutions while the NBA positions itself for a streaming-first future.