FanDuel firms up plans with Marlins, Heat, Amazon, new viewing option. What to know
Diamond Sports Group, which owns 16 FanDuel regional sports networks across the country, emerged from bankruptcy this week, and there were three notable developments involving its two networks in Florida:
▪ FanDuel Sports Network Florida finalized a multiyear deal to retain Marlins TV and streaming rights. Nearly all of the 162 games will remain on the network, which previously was named Bally Sports Florida.
While some MLB teams took large pay cuts in restructured deals with Diamond, the Marlins’ new deal is “on par” with last year’s deal, according to a source.
The Marlins, several years ago, began receiving between $50 million and $55 million annually from Diamond, a large right fee increase from the $17 million to $20 million during the final years of Jeffrey Loria’s ownership.
The Marlins had the opportunity to look elsewhere, but Diamond values Marlins rights, and the Marlins wanted to stay on the FanDuel networks.
Credit the Marlins for giving fans two free months of games on Bally’s streaming service last summer when Comcast removed the Bally networks for three months because of a carriage dispute. That carriage agreement ended with Comcast Xfinity placing the FanDuel networks on a more expensive tier.
According to a source, the Marlins are expected to retain play-by-play announcer Paul Severino, whose contract is up, and a rotating group of analysts led by Tommy Hutton.
▪ At some point in 2025, Amazon Prime Video will be permitted to stream NBA, NHL and MLB games that air on FanDuel networks.
In Florida, that means viewers can stream FanDuel coverage of Heat and Marlins games through Amazon Prime. Prices have not been announced, but there will be a charge on top of what Amazon Prime subscribers already pay.
Heat and Marlins fans currently have two ways to watch games: 1). On FanDuel Sports Network Sun and FanDuel Sports Network Florida or 2). Through the FanDuel Sports Network app (previously the Bally app).
The Amazon Prime Video/FanDuel announcement this week was generally short on details, noting that “FanDuel Sports Network RSNs will be available via Prime Video as an add on subscription for customers living within each team’s designated geographic area. More details to be announced at a later date.
“Customers will be able to subscribe to and watch their local FanDuel Sports Network content, including live games and pre and postgame programming directly through Prime Video. Fans who watch local games through Prime Video will enjoy a seamless and customized viewing experience, as Prime Video allows them to subscribe, manage, and watch their favorite streaming services and sports content in one place.”
The Heat and Marlins games streamed through Amazon are expected to look identical to the Heat and Marlins games streamed through the FanDuel app or televised on the FanDuel networks. The announcers will be the same.
▪ Beginning Dec. 5, fans can stream Heat games on a single-game basis for $6.99. Previously, only a season package, a monthly package or an annual subscription have been available on the FanDuel Sports Network app.
This story was originally published November 15, 2024 at 12:45 PM.
