• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

Bankruptcy Judge Blocks Suns New Rights Deal

  • The Suns and Mercury entered into deals Gray Television and the streaming firm Kiswe last month.
  • Diamond Sports filed for bankruptcy in March looking to restructure about $8 billion in debt.
Phoenix-Suns
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

A bankruptcy judge blocked the rollout of a new broadcast pact the Phoenix Suns announced two weeks ago.

Judge Christopher Lopez on Wednesday voided the TV and streaming pact the Suns and Mercury entered into to replace their current Diamond Sports Group’s deal. In a written ruling after a Wednesday hearing, Lopez wrote the deal “violated the automatic stay” in Diamond Sports’ bankruptcy case.

“The Suns shall continue to perform and comply with their obligations under the agreement [with Diamond Sports] in all respects,” Lopez wrote.

CNBC was the first outlet to report Lopez’s decision.

“The Phoenix Suns and Mercury are excited to continue giving our fans everything they want for the best possible experience and making our games accessible to everyone,” Josh Bartelstein, CEO of the Suns and Mercury, said in a statement to Front Office Sports. “We are committed to working collaboratively on a fair resolution that will be in the best interest of our fans, our community, and our players.”

On April 28, the Suns and Mercury unveiled their replacement for Diamond Sports’ Bally Sports Arizona with Gray Television and the streaming firm Kiswe — a unique setup amid the precipitous decline of regional sports networks due to cord-cutting. 

Diamond Sports almost immediately called the move “an improper effort by the Suns to change their broadcasting partner without permitting Diamond to exercise our contractual rights.”

Lopez wrote in his order the decision “does not affect” the Mercury’s deal with and Gray Television/Kiswe. But for the deal to move forward, a deal would need to first be reached with Diamond Sports.

Diamond Sports filed for bankruptcy in March looking to restructure about $8 billion in debt. Diamond Sports became the local broadcast partner for the Suns when Diamond’s parent company, Sinclair, acquired the former Fox Sports RSNs in 2019. 

Lawyers for the Suns argued in court filings that the current deal expired at the end of the regular season. Diamond Sports disagreed as it countered that it still has the right to refuse any new deal first. 

A message left with a Suns spokesperson was not immediately returned. 

The new deal will commence with the start of the WNBA season. The Mercury’s first regular season game is May 19.

Correction: The original version of the story mischaracterized the impact of the judge’s decision on the Mercury.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark Out for WNBA All-Star Game, 3-Point Contest With Injury

Clark and Satou Sabally will miss the game with injuries.
Apr 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Footprint Center.

Bradley Beal Agrees to Suns Buyout, Will Join Clippers

Beal is the latest star player to leave Phoenix behind Kevin Durant.

Suns All In on Booker, Who Signs Record Extension Amidst Chaos

The Suns changed their head coach for the fourth time in four years.

How Bradley Beal Buyout Would Save Suns $230M, and What’s Next

Beal has two years and $110 million remaining on his deal.

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.

Netflix Beats Projections Again—and Plots Big Holiday Sports Slate

The streaming giant again beats analyst projections in every respect.
Jul 15, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; National League designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a home run in the swing off of after the 2025 MLB All Star Game ended in a tie at Truist Park.
July 16, 2025

MLB All-Star Game Viewership Dips Despite Historic Swing-Off

Game viewership falls 3% despite late dramatics in the unique tiebreaker.
July 17, 2025

ESPN Bidding Against NBC, Apple for MLB Rights Package

The league continues to negotiate with multiple media-rights bidders.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 15, 2025

MLB Home Run Derby Draws 5.7M Viewers on ESPN, Up 5%

ESPN reverses the trend from last year and registers audience growth.
July 15, 2025

WNBA Hits Fourth-Highest ABC Viewership With Clark-Bueckers Duel

Clark missed the first Fever vs. Wings game with an injury.
Brittney Griner and Caitlin Clark
exclusive
July 15, 2025

‘Good Morning America’ Will Air From WNBA All-Star in First

The All-Star Game’s relevance has exploded with the league in recent years.
NBC Sports
exclusive
July 14, 2025

NBC Hiring Ex-Hawks Exec Grant Liffmann As NBA Front Office Insider

Liffmann spent the last three years with Atlanta after covering the Warriors.