Pacers Expected to Move Local Broadcasts to DAZN Next Season

The Pacers are expected to sell exclusive local broadcast rights for the 2026-27 season to DAZN, Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal reported Wednesday. Indiana has been without a local television partner since April.

DAZN has taken over as the exclusive digital home of MSG Networks and YES Network, Karp reported. The Knicks and Nets will carry every local game on the service. Sources told Karp that DAZN is also near exclusive local agreements with Indiana, the Timberwolves, Cavaliers, Spurs, and Grizzlies.

Karp reported that the Magic and Hornets are discussing a hybrid linear-digital arrangement, with an over-the-air television partner in the local market and a direct-to-consumer stream through DAZN. Karp reported that the Wizards are believed to be the team in line for a non-exclusive streaming deal.

Pacers games aired on FanDuel Sports Network Indiana last season. Main Street Sports Group wound down operations after the regular season ended April 12. Diamond Sports Group emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and renamed itself Main Street in January 2025. It owned the FanDuel regional networks.

The NBA told the 13 clubs affiliated with Main Street in April that they could pursue new in-market rights deals, Tom Friend of Sports Business Journal reported. Indiana was on that list with the Thunder, Spurs, Pistons, Cavaliers, Clippers, Heat, Timberwolves, Magic, Hornets, Hawks, Grizzlies, and Bucks. Main Street made no rights fee payments to those clubs during 2026. Friend reported each could recoup up to 60% of that money once dissolution agreements with the league and Main Street are finalized. The 2026-27 salary cap projection came down by $1 million.

Pacers Sports and Entertainment CEO Mel Raines spoke with Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star in early April, days after the Main Street news broke.

"We're throwing a very wide net and looking to both potential over-the-air partners and direct-to-consumer partners and looking at every possible option to reach as many of our fans as we can next season over local television," Raines said.

Victory+, ViewLift, and Kiswe have chased regional streaming projects of their own, and Friend reported that several of the 13 teams weighed streaming-only options in place of over-the-air broadcasts entirely. The Bucks, Heat, and Pistons have since signed one-year deals with local stations. Raines is focused on finding the right local partner for Indiana.

"There will be a new way for (fans) to watch the Pacers in 2026-27 in our local market," Raines said. "We're looking forward to identifying a local partner who will provide a great experience for our fans to watch."

The NBA is targeting 2027-28 for its own streaming hub for local broadcasts. Karp reported that most clubs in talks with DAZN want either one-year terms or an opt-out after year one. Sources told Karp the league will seek roughly $1 billion per year from its partner on that platform, with geo-fenced broadcasts for at least 20 teams and possibly as many as 29. Amazon, YouTube TV, and the ESPN app are also in contention.

Indiana won 19 games last season. Tyrese Haliburton ruptured his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 Finals and sat out the entire 2025-26 campaign. The Pacers are optimistic Haliburton will be available for the season opener. He signed a five-year, $244 million extension in July 2023. His career regular-season averages are 17.5 points and 8.8 assists.

Pascal Siakam averaged 24.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists last season and made his fourth All-Star team. He became eligible on July 6 for an extension worth up to $207 million.

At the February deadline, Indiana sent Bennedict Mathurin and two first-round picks to the Clippers for Ivica Zubac. One of those picks was the 2026 first-rounder, protected 1-4 and 10-30. The Pacers landed fifth in the lottery and the selection conveyed, which left Indiana without a pick in the draft. Zubac appeared in five games before a season-ending injury. He averaged 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds in 2024-25 and made the All-Defensive Second Team.

Indiana signed Kelly Oubre Jr. this summer to a two-year deal worth close to $17 million. Larry Nance Jr. was another free agent acquisition. Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin, and T.J. McConnell all return.

The coming season is the 60th in franchise history and the 51st in the NBA. Indiana opens the season at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with radio on 1070 The Fan. No local broadcast partner has been announced.