Suns make game-changing move to benefit fans: Will Dallas Mavericks follow suit?

The Dallas Mavericks have an all-time great player on their roster in Luka Doncic, and two if they can keep Kyrie Irving in free agency this summer. The franchise was in the Western Conference Finals in 2022, and they need to build a title contender around Luka to keep him in Dallas long-term. It is a massive summer for the franchise that starts on May 16 with the draft lottery.

Fans want to watch the games, but that has become more difficult in recent years. With more people cord-cutting, Bally Sports has been slow to add a direct-to-consumer streaming option. That leaves local fans with the option of illegal streams or not watching the game at all.

The Phoenix Suns are changing that as they are broadcasting the games for free on television next season and will have a direct-to-consumer streaming option. Their contract with Bally Sports was up, so the Suns decided to take matters into their own hands.

Will the Dallas Mavericks follow the Phoenix Suns' streaming plans?

Bally Sports added a plus option for fans last season where they could stream the games, but the company has also filed for bankruptcy. If things go south, every team could be looking for a new avenue to get the product to the fans.

Credit to Suns owner Mat Ishbia. He is losing millions of dollars with his new plan, but he wants the local community invested in the team. If he can get people watching, the money will follow. It is an interesting plan and something that other owners should take note of moving forward.

Fans have been frustrated that they have been unable to watch games in recent years. If more teams follow the Suns' plan, that will not be a problem. Will it work in Phoenix? Does it hurt the team’s bottom line? Will more fans be watching? Does it increase ticket sales and other revenue?

It is a fascinating idea, and the entire league will be watching. Stay tuned to see how this one plays out, and if it becomes a blueprint for other teams to follow in the coming years.