EverPass vs Atlanta Hawks

DAZN to Acquire EverPass Media, Accelerating U.S. Expansion and Strengthening Its Next-Generation Commercial Distribution Platform

DAZN to Acquire EverPass Media, Accelerating U.S. Expansion and Strengthening Its Next-Generation Commercial Distribution Platform

DAZN to Acquire EverPass, Gains NFL Sunday Ticket Rights

DAZN announced it will acquire EverPass, the commercial distributor that holds the exclusive rights to distribute NFL Sunday Ticket to bars, restaurants, casinos and other venues. The deal gives DAZN control of commercial distribution for the out-of-market NFL Sunday afternoon package and brings a proven venue distribution platform and rights portfolio into DAZN’s U.S. expansion. EverPass and DIRECTV previously announced an agreement in July 2026 to bring NFL Sunday Ticket to commercial venues by streaming and satellite. DAZN says existing EverPass customers will see no service interruption, and the NFL expressed support for the transaction as a way to expand reach in commercial locations.

• DAZN announced it will acquire EverPass, the company that distributes licensed sports properties to commercial venues.
• EverPass holds the exclusive commercial distribution rights for NFL Sunday Ticket to bars, restaurants, casinos and similar venues.
• EverPass and DIRECTV announced in July 2026 an agreement to bring NFL Sunday Ticket to commercial venues via streaming and satellite.

DIRECTV and EverPass Partner to Bring NFL Sunday Ticket to Venues

DIRECTV and EverPass Media announced a multi-year agreement enabling bars, restaurants, casinos, and other commercial venues across the U.S. to show NFL Sunday Ticket via satellite and streaming through DIRECTV for Business. DIRECTV for Business will act as EverPass’ marketing and commercial distribution partner for NFL Sunday Ticket (with or without NFL RedZone) and will be EverPass’ Preferred National Distributor for EverPass streaming platforms in the U.S. The deal extends access to additional premium sports offerings to more than 300,000 commercial locations that currently use DIRECTV for Business.

• DIRECTV signed a multi-year agreement with EverPass Media to distribute NFL Sunday Ticket to commercial venues.
• DIRECTV for Business will serve as EverPass’ marketing and commercial distribution partner for NFL Sunday Ticket, with and without NFL RedZone.
• The agreement designates DIRECTV for Business as EverPass’ Preferred National Distributor for EverPass streaming platforms in the U.S.

Atlanta Hawks to Stream Local Games Exclusively on Prime Video

The Atlanta Hawks announced a historic deal making Prime Video the exclusive streaming home for their locally distributed NBA games starting the 2026-27 season. The agreement covers 74 regular-season games, available at no extra cost to Amazon Prime members within the team's regional territory spanning parts of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Mississippi. This marks the first time an NBA team has chosen Prime Video for exclusive local game streaming. The Hawks will also continue their existing free over-the-air broadcast partnership with Gray Media on WANF and Peachtree Sports Network. This move reflects the growing trend of teams bypassing traditional regional sports networks, especially after the parent company of the former RSN, Main Street Sports Group, ceased operations. Prime Video is also expanding its national NBA coverage, while the NBA reportedly plans a local streaming hub for the 2027-28 season.

• Atlanta Hawks becomes first NBA team to stream local games exclusively on Prime Video for the 2026-27 season.
• The deal covers 74 regular-season games, available to Amazon Prime members in the team's regional territory at no extra cost.
• The Hawks will also continue free over-the-air broadcasts via Gray Media stations WANF and Peachtree Sports Network.

Michelob Ultra Launches Multi-Channel Knicks Championship Celebration Campaign

Michelob Ultra is launching a comprehensive multi-channel campaign across New York City's five boroughs to celebrate the New York Knicks' 2026 NBA championship. The campaign includes limited-edition bottle openers containing pieces of the NBA Finals court, distributed through select bartenders, with fan giveaways starting October 19 via the Superior Access platform. A new film, 'Beer of Champions,' created by Wieden + Kennedy, will debut on NBC during the Knicks' opening game on October 20. Limited-edition cans and aluminum bottles featuring the team logo and championship trophy are available. Out-of-home placements will appear around Madison Square Garden, Penn Station, and Times Square. The campaign builds on Michelob Ultra's role as the NBA's official global beer partner, complementing league-wide efforts including court ad placements for the Emirates NBA Cup.

• Michelob Ultra launches a multi-channel campaign celebrating the Knicks' 2026 NBA championship across New York's five boroughs.
• Limited-edition bottle openers containing pieces of the NBA Finals court are given to select bartenders.
• Fan giveaways for the bottle openers begin October 19 via Michelob Ultra's Superior Access platform.

NHL Centralizes Local Broadcasts; NBA Returns to Free TV

This article analyzes how professional sports leagues are restructuring their local media strategies in the wake of declining regional sports networks (RSNs). The NHL is centralizing production for teams like the Blue Jackets, Blues, Wild, and Hurricanes, following MLB's model, while allowing team-specific distribution flexibility. The NBA is temporarily returning to over-the-air television, with the Bucks and Hawks partnering with local broadcasters. The piece argues a hybrid model, balancing central production with local market flexibility, is the most effective approach in the post-cable era.

• NHL centralizes local broadcasts for 2026-27 season for four teams, including the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.
• Anaheim Ducks terminate agreement with Victory+ streaming partner after two seasons.
• MLB broadcasts games for 14 teams, including Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres since 2023.