If any major pro sports owner is going to make waves with a streaming rights deal, it makes sense that it would be Steve Ballmer.
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The broadcast deal between the Clippers and Prime Ticket expired in June and Ballmer requested that the new deal split TV and streaming rights. The broadcast responded with a “take it or leave it” two-year deal that would give them television rights but let him keep streaming. According to the NY Post, Ballmer is expected to accept the offer and the NBA is expected to approve it.
The one condition is apparently that the Clippers will only be allowed to offer streaming services to Prime Ticket customers. The NBA also retains out-of-market streaming rights for itself.
It’s a very forward-thinking strategy for Ballmer and one that is likely to be emulated if successful. Streaming audiences are growing at a steady pace and siphoning a noticeable chunk of viewers away from TVs (just ask NBC). With so many sports networks offering OTT streaming services and leagues getting into bed with companies like Twitter and Facebook for streaming broadcasts, it’ll be interesting to see what monetary returns the Clippers can make and what moves Ballmer can make to be a leader in the world of team streaming services.
We’d tell Steve not to get too excited just yet but we know that’s hard for him.
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