Detroit’s professional sports teams, including the Tigers, Red Wings, and Pistons, are preparing for potential upheavals related to the FanDuel Sports Network’s future. Reports indicate that the parent company, Main Street Sports Group, is facing serious challenges that could lead to a shutdown within months if negotiations with DAZN fail.
Current State of FanDuel Sports Network
Main Street Sports Group owns the broadcast rights for 30 professional teams, including the Tigers, Red Wings, and Pistons. Since emerging from bankruptcy in January 2025, the company has struggled financially, most notably missing a rights payment to the St. Louis Cardinals. The status of payments to Detroit’s teams remains unclear, although it is known that post-bankruptcy rights fees had already decreased significantly.
The RSN industry has been deteriorating as more fans shift from traditional cable to streaming platforms. Despite a surge in streaming subscribers—reportedly reaching 90,000 in Metro Detroit—profits have not met expectations. This downturn is a stark contrast to the booming revenue the sector enjoyed just a decade ago.
Potential Outcomes for Main Street Sports
If negotiations with DAZN, a prominent overseas streamer, do not progress positively, the company may be forced to halt operations entirely by the end of the NBA and NHL seasons. Analysts suggest a shutdown could happen before baseball season begins, potentially disrupting sports broadcasting in Detroit.
Contingency Plans by Detroit Teams
The ownership of the Tigers and Red Wings, the Ilitch family, as well as the Pistons’ owner, Tom Gores, are actively exploring alternatives. This includes increasing their control over broadcasts and hiring on-air talent directly, moving away from reliance on RSNs.
- Tigers: Simulcasting 10 games in 2025 via local over-the-air network Fox 2.
- Red Wings: Planning to simulcast four games on Fox 2.
- Pistons: Considering over-the-air broadcasts this season.
While a return to over-the-air broadcasting might offer a short-term solution, long-term viability could remain uncertain. The revenue generated from traditional broadcasts often doesn’t match that of RSNs.
Future Broadcasting Options
As the situation unfolds, if RSNs collapse entirely, teams might have to rely on league-specific services like MLB TV, NHL.TV, and NBA League Pass. The viability of launching a new regional sports network, akin to New York’s YES Network, has been expressed in the past by the Ilitch family, but little progress has been reported in recent years.
Conclusion
The future for Detroit’s sports teams and their broadcasting agreements remains tenuous. As different scenarios play out, teams will need to adapt quickly to sustain broadcasting of their games amid the significant changes within the RSN industry.
