NBA Team Double Downs on Free TV, Owner Says Other Teams Should Too

This news about local NBA teams making their games free over-the-air is fantastic for our wallets, and frankly, it’s a major win for budget-conscious fans. Historically, wanting to watch a specific local team meant signing up for expensive regional sports packages, which can easily add $20 to $50 a month to your streaming bill. The fact that the Suns and Mercury are maintaining free local access through 2030 significantly reduces that barrier to entry for local sports fandom.

However, while the free broadcast is great, we need to watch out for the new digital streaming option. While the local broadcast is free, always check the fine print on what that "digital streaming option" entails. Does it require a separate, paid subscription? If so, remember that free local viewing should still be your primary viewing method.

Our advice remains the same: always prioritize free or existing local broadcast options before considering a new paid add-on. If you are a fan of multiple teams, use this as a signal to check if other sports leagues or teams in your area are adopting this free-TV model. If they are, you can save substantial money by focusing on local, free channels and only subscribing to national, must-see events when absolutely necessary.