The announcement of the next TV contract unveiled by the Suns did not only make people happy. Announced for 2023/24, it aimed to be able to broadcast Suns games over the air for free in the territories of Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma, via a partnership concluded with Gray Television Inc GTN.N and the video startup “Kiswe”.
Current holder of the broadcasting rights via its broadcaster Bally Sports Arizona, Diamond Sports however felt aggrieved and sued the Arizona franchise to have this contract canceled (with a claim for damages). The contract between Diamond Sports and the Suns however ends at the end of this season, and the company is bankrupt, but it had a right of first refusal.
A US bankruptcy judge therefore blocked the future agreement concluded by the Suns with its new broadcaster.
According to US bankruptcy law, the judge thus considered that this new agreement interfered with the contractual right of Diamond Sports, despite its financial situation, to be able to renegotiate a contract extension with the Suns, also guilty of having precipitated an announcement. which has jeopardized the relaunch of Diamond Sports.
The claim for damages will be considered at a later hearing.
