How Amazon Investment In Diamond Sports Affects Predators Fans

Amazon is set to make a minority investment in Diamond Sports Group, the parent company of Bally Sports, after reaching a tentative agreement with several of DSG’s debt holders to save the company from going bankrupt.

Currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Texas, Diamond Sports previously reached an agreement with the NHL to allow its regional sports networks to continue broadcasting NHL games through the remainder of the 2023-24 season.

Under DSG, Bally Sports owns the broadcast rights to 11 NHL markets including the Nashville Predators, Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Due to the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, any agreement — including the one with Amazon — must receive approval from the debt holders as well as the judge.

The overall terms of DSG’s new agreement has a total investment of $450 million from a combined investment from existing creditors and Amazon, along with a commitment premium of $67.5M and an additional option to invest a further $50M.

The proposed restructuring agreement would override the previous NHL Term Sheet that the judge granted on Jan. 3 and would become effective subject to certain conditions, including overriding the previous term sheet agreement.

As a result of its investment, Amazon will have broadcasting rights for NHL games, including the Nashville Predators, to be streamed on Prime Video. It hasn’t been determined yet if an NHL streaming option will be included with a Prime Video membership or if it will be an add-on service that can be purchased for an additional fee.

While the specifics of the deal and scheduling of games, if any, that will be streamed on the platform are not yet known, a move to Amazon likely subsides the frustration of several Predators fans who are frustrated with their current streaming options including Bally Sports and ESPN+, due to regional blackouts, confusion about which service is streaming which game and broadcast quality.