The Cleveland Cavaliers are moving local broadcasts to DAZN beginning in 2026-27, with subscriptions starting at $19.99 per month and 15 games available free.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are switching from regional TV to a streaming platform, selling their local media rights to DAZN through a multiyear deal announced on Tuesday.
Starting with the 2026-27 season, DAZN will stream all Cavaliers regular-season games not exclusively broadcast nationally, preseason games, and team content. Financial details were not disclosed.
Cleveland is the second of 13 NBA teams displaced by the collapse of Main Street Sports Group to sign a streaming-only local deal. Minnesota was the first, on July 30.
Main Street, which managed the FanDuel Sports Network regional channels, ceased operations in April after failing to make rights payments to teams. Subsequently, the NBA authorized its 13 affiliated clubs to seek new local partners. In 2026, Main Street did not provide any payments to these teams, resulting in a shortfall that decreased the league's projected salary cap for the upcoming season by $1 million.
Subscriptions start at $19.99/month for two streams and downloads. A $24.99 plan adds three more streams, a second location, multiview, and alternate angles. Season passes are $119.99 and $139.99. Full-season and half-season Cavs United and Foundation members access the package for free.
Fifteen games will be free on DAZN and simulcast on over-the-air television. The team said it would name the simulcast partner later. Cleveland had five free over-the-air games last season.
The Cavaliers will produce the broadcasts themselves through Rock Entertainment Sports Network, the team-affiliated studio, expanding from six cameras to 19. The telecasts will use ultra-high-resolution cameras built by Cosm, along with predictive AI and augmented-reality graphics. Announcers John Michael and Brad Daugherty return, as do reporter Serena Winters and host Cayleigh Griffin.
"The investment we're making in our broadcast platform creates a fan-centric destination that enriches the experience while simplifying how fans connect to Cavaliers basketball," said Nic Barlage, CEO of Rock Entertainment Group.
DAZN, based in London, built its business on combat sports and international soccer. This year, it expanded into NBA local rights, becoming the exclusive digital platform for MSG Networks and YES Network, broadcasters of the Knicks and Nets. Sports Business Journal said DAZN offered teams minimum annual guarantees from $8 million to $20 million.
"The United States is a key growth market for DAZN, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are exactly the kind of forward-thinking partner we want to build with as we expand our local sports offering," said Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN Group.
Not all displaced teams switched to streaming; Atlanta, Detroit, Miami, and Milwaukee got over-the-air TV deals. Charlotte and Orlando partnered with Cox Media Group and are expected to add DAZN streaming, Sports Business Journal reported. Five teams made no announcements.
The NBA plans to launch its own hub for local broadcasts in 2027-28.
Last season, Cleveland went 52-30 and lost to the Knicks in four games in the Eastern Conference finals, their first appearance there since 2018. In the offseason, they re-signed James Harden and added Peyton Watson from Denver. Kenny Atkinson begins his third season as head coach.
