Hawks Pivot to Gray Media as RSN Model Collapses
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Atlanta Hawks shift non-nationally televised games to free broadcast television for the 2026-27 season following the shutdown of Man Street Sports Groups' NBA and NHL operations.
The Atlanta Hawks have secured a new broadcast partnership with Gray Media for the 2026-27 NBA season, moving away from the regional sports network (RSN) model. According to Sports Illustrated, the move follows the decision by Man Street Sports Groups—the owner of Fanduel Sports Network—to shut down its NHL and NBA operations.
Under the new agreement, all non-nationally televised regular-season games will be broadcast for free to in-market fans via Gray Media's Atlanta station, WANF (Atlanta News First), and the Peachtree Sports Network. The partnership also extends coverage to Gray Media stations in Savannah (WTOC), Macon (WPGA), Columbus (WTVM), Augusta (WRDW), and Albany (WALB). Additionally, the deal includes the broadcast of three preseason games.
For fans accessing the games via WANF, Sports Illustrated notes the station is available through providers including YouTube TV, Fubo, Xfinity, Spectrum, DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, and DISH Network. Out-of-market viewers will continue to rely on the NBA's League Pass.
While the immediate broadcast gap created by the collapse of the Fanduel Sports Network ecosystem has been filled, the long-term strategy remains unclear. Sports Illustrated reports that no details have been released regarding broadcast plans for seasons beyond 2026-27.