Notice How to watch root sports without cable

I think not a lot of people stream because it's not available. If it weren't for sports I wouldn't even consider paying for cable.

 

They’re cheap that’s the exact reason why they don’t

 

teams always spend a lot of time yapping about how they want the broadest audience possible and want to serve the fans the best they can

but they then turn around and sign the most lucrative deal and a segment of the fan-base gets screwed. I remember the last contract and how one of the major satellite companies wouldn't carry (maybe it was both, I have Comcast so I'm not sure) the games. Blazer business management spent the first 3 or 4 years of the deal saying how they were "working" on a solution. Then they just stopped talking about it, likely because they really didn't give a shit

I wouldn't expect any resolution of this situation either

 

How/why the league doesn't have its own streaming platform is just baffling to me. For a league that continually pats itself on the back for being progressive, they're well behind nearly EVERY OTHER major sport in this aspect.

In raw $ amounts, the deals they sign with networks like Comcast/Root might be more lucrative in the short run, but making the games more accessible to a wider audience, sans blackouts, could just lead to more growth in the long term. Just frustrating lack of foresight.

(and don't get me started on the backward ass product that is league pass. MLB TV was miles better than the current NBA offering nearly a decade ago).

 

Isn't NBA league pass their streaming service? Every other streaming service that I'm aware of, MLS, NFL and MLB all blackout local content.

 

i was just editing my thoughts on league pass.

 

I can't speak to it as a product, I've never had any of them, and have heard it's trash.
That being said, I believe my other point still holds that all of the other leagues have local blackout rules. So good product or not, availability still isn't there for local viewers through league platforms.

 

You can setup a VPN on your home network to connect to it from anywhere in the world. It also helps with netflix and other sites.

 

I'll have to look into that, because those east coast 4PM tipoffs mean I end up having to watch first halves at the office.

 

Isn’t the league pass their streaming service? I’ve been streaming on that for over 15 years with no problems.

 

But again, that's the same with all of the leagues, last I heard.

 

Gotcha. He said NBA streaming service. Thought he was talking about the whole league.

 

Correct. No league anywhere can you watch your local team.

 

Oh, I totally agree. I'm not advocating for it as an option. Was more referencing the earlier discussion that league pass is behind the times with its blackouts.

 

Yeah, individual teams (not the league) make millions with their local broadcast rights. It's one of the major revenue streams for teams in all sports. Unless you could convince the Knicks and Lakers to give up hundreds of millions a year in revenue they'll never let the league just take over their local broadcasting.

 

Been using LP for nearly a decade, and have documented my disdain for that shit product for a while now. I was left with no legal choice earlier so I was going to bite the bullet again had I not moved in state this summer. That said, I have no intention of shelling out 70-100/month for cable. I know the sites and will stream as much as I can. I know of the VPN workarounds, but will wait to see if the league shuts that loophole down before jumping in.

 

Signed my son up for league pass since he’s in Bellingham for college and he informed me that is still considered blackout area??? Messed up

 

You can check the blackout areas in the field by zipcode here: https://watch.nba.com/streaming-subscriptions . I am sure you can get a refund from them still.

In Central OR, in addition to the Blazers and National TV, the Warriors and Kings are also blacked out for me. Insane. Someone want to explain to me the rationality here?