Imagine owning your favorite sports team and making decisions to ensure that fans can easily watch their games on TV. That’s exactly what Mat Ishbia did after acquiring majority stakes in the N.B.A.’s Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury of the W.N.B.A. in December. He recognized the frustration fans felt when they couldn’t watch their beloved teams and took bold steps to change that.
In a strategic move, Ishbia decided to part ways with the traditional regional sports network model and bring Suns and Mercury games to free over-the-air channels. This risky decision aimed to reach a wider audience, especially those who had cut cable cords or never subscribed to cable in the first place. By making games more accessible, Ishbia hoped to create a deeper connection between the teams and their fans.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Fans appreciated the effort to make games easily accessible and show that their enjoyment was a top priority. The decision also sparked a wave of change in the sports media world as more teams considered similar moves to adapt to changing viewing habits.
Fast forward to April, and the organization announced a partnership with Gray Television to broadcast all Suns and Mercury games on over-the-air channels. In addition, they provided free antennas to fans in need and introduced a streaming option with Kiswe, making it even easier for fans to catch their favorite teams in action.
This shift in broadcasting marked a significant change for the Phoenix-area franchises and set the stage for other teams to follow suit. The move towards free television and streaming options reflects a growing trend in the sports industry as teams aim to connect with fans in new and innovative ways.
The story of the Phoenix franchises is just one example of the evolving landscape of sports media. As more teams seek to engage with fans and adapt to shifting viewing habits, we can expect to see further changes in how games are broadcast and accessed in the future.
By prioritizing fan experience and accessibility, Mat Ishbia and the Phoenix Suns and Mercury have set a new standard for how teams interact with their audiences. As Ishbia aptly put it, “We’re focused on success. We’re focused on fan experience. And money always follows those things.” This forward-thinking approach is not just about broadcasting games; it’s about building a lasting connection between teams and their fans that transcends traditional media models.
