Suns and Mercury Extend Free Over-the-Air Broadcast Deal Through 2030

In 2023 the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury left a regional sports network and signed a free over-the-air (OTA) partnership with Gray Media’s Arizona’s Family after Diamond Sports Group’s bankruptcy. The deal introduced free TV antennas and marked the first local broadcast moving NBA and WNBA games from a traditional RSN to OTA, initially covering five years for the Suns and two for the Mercury, with the Valley Suns added in 2024.

Phoenix Suns, Mercury, and Gray Media Extend Broadcast Partnership Through 2030 – Sports Video GroupSuns, Mercury extend local FTA rights deal with Gray Media through 2030azfamily.comArizona RepublicSuns and Mercury adding new streaming option in media rights extension with Arizona’s FamilySuns games will remain free for Arizona residentsSports Business Journal

On May 20 2026 the Suns, Mercury and Gray Media announced a multi-year extension of the OTA agreement through the 2030 season. The renewal keeps games free over-the-air across Arizona and adds a unified streaming platform, the Arizona’s Family Sports (AZFS) app, which will host Suns+ and Merc+ direct-to-consumer streams.

Suns, Mercury extend local FTA rights deal with Gray Media through 2030

The Suns averaged over 110,000 viewers per game in 2025-26, ranking in the NBA’s top four for local household viewership. Mercury broadcasts have risen roughly 500 % since the OTA move. Together the three teams now reach nearly three million TV homes, and more than 10,000 free antennas have been distributed statewide.

Phoenix Suns, Mercury, and Gray Media Extend Broadcast Partnership Through 2030 – Sports Video Group

Owner Mat Ishbia framed the extension as a fan-first initiative, emphasizing free, accessible games as core to the teams’ community identity. Gray Media co-CEO Pat LaPlatney praised the partnership’s expanded reach and pledged continued investment in local coverage. Suns-Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein called the renewal validation of the decision to forgo a lucrative RSN rights fee.

Arizona Republic

One source cites the forfeited RSN rights fee as $36 million, while another references “more than $30 million per season,” leaving the exact financial impact of the OTA shift unverified beyond viewership data.

Sports Business Journal

The extension solidifies a pioneering OTA-plus-streaming hybrid that keeps professional basketball free for Arizona fans, demonstrating that high viewership can be achieved without subscription fees. The model may shape league-wide negotiations as other NBA and WNBA franchises explore alternatives to the collapsing RSN landscape.

Suns, Mercury extend local FTA rights deal with Gray Media through 2030

The Arizona’s Family Sports app, consolidating Suns+ and Merc+, launches in the coming days. The Suns begin a three-game road trip on Sunday, while the Mercury face the Los Angeles Sparks on May 21 at Mortgage Matchup Center.

Suns, Mercury extend local FTA rights deal with Gray Media through 2030

• “We’re so excited to expand our partnership with Arizona’s Family because everything we do is for our fans,” — Mat Ishbia, Owner, Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury

Suns and Mercury adding new streaming option in media rights extension with Arizona’s Family

• “We could not be more fortunate to have a partner like the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury,” — Pat LaPlatney, Co-CEO and President, Gray Media

Suns and Mercury adding new streaming option in media rights extension with Arizona’s Family

• “I didn’t really know how it would all play out,” — Mat Ishbia (SBJ interview)

Sports Business Journal

• “If you look at those broadcast station opportunities and models, the most advantageous scenario is when a team has a multi-station opportunity,” — Craig Sloan, CEO, Playfly Sports

Sports Business Journal