Gray Television Captures Phoenix Suns And Mercury Games

Today, Gray Television, in partnership with the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, announced what it calls “a transformative media rights deal” to bring every locally broadcast game to viewers for free in a statewide distribution model using Gray’s Phoenix television stations KTVK (Arizona’s Family 3TV) and the newly launched KPHE (Arizona’s Family Sports & Entertainment Network).

Gray added that upon the expansion of KPHE into the Tucson and Yuma markets in the next several weeks, “the new media rights deal will make the Suns and Mercury games available to nearly 2.8 million households across all three of Arizona’s three media markets, tripling the teams’ reach to fans who have been unable to access the games through its previous distribution arrangement with a non-broadcast regional sports network.”

Currently, the Sun’s local games are carried on regional sports network Bally Sports Arizona, whose parent, Diamond Sports, is under bankruptcy protection.

Debbie Bush, KTVK vice president and general manager, said: “Live sports can bring a community together. Combining that with the power of broadcast television and Arizona’s Family, it becomes a multiplier effect benefitting the team, the fans, and the clients. Our goal since day one has been creating a model that provides all fans the ability to connect with and cheer on their favorite teams via the distribution method of their choice. We are confident this model will increase fan loyalty and engagement.”

All Suns and Mercury non-national exclusive games will be broadcast between the two stations. KTVK will air a total of 13 Mercury regular season games and all available post-season games, with the remaining regular season games airing on KPHE. The Suns will have a minimum of 70 games broadcast each season, with at least 40 regular-season games on KTVK and the remaining on KPHE.

“We’re thrilled this partnership will connect our loyal family of viewers with the Phoenix Suns and Mercury,” said Pat LaPlatney, Gray Television president/co-CEO. “In a very short window, Mat Ishbia has begun to build a world-class organization both on and off the court. And with today’s announcement, Mat has made good on his promise to focus on the community and put their fans first. We are very pleased to play a part in that effort with our stations in Phoenix, Tucson, and ultimately Yuma.”

Fans will also be able to watch games through a DTC streaming option alongside the over-the-air broadcast product powered by Kiswe. Subscribers will be able to access the DTC streaming through a Suns or Mercury branded app on their smartphones or Smart TVs. The 2023 Phoenix Mercury season will stream DTC for free.

“We are excited to be partnering with the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Gray Television on this groundbreaking new direct-to-fan distribution model,” said Glenn Booth, CEO of Kiswe. “Kiswe’s goal is to bring live sports to all fans through immersive digital experiences, and we can’t wait to start streaming games to any Arizona basketball fans who want to watch these iconic teams.”

The first Phoenix Mercury game will air live on KTVK and simulcast on KPHE Thursday, May 25, at 7 p.m. when the Mercury take on the Minnesota Lynx.

The agreement is subject to the approval of the NBA and WNBA and any required resolution with the incumbent regional sports partner. The agreement is subject to various industry-standard terms and conditions that the parties did not disclose. Lee H. Berke, President & CEO of LHB Sports, Entertainment & Media, Inc., advised Gray Television and Kiswe on the development of the Suns/Mercury agreement announced today.