Posted: April 1, 2003
Fox Sports Net Arizona has secured the sub-license rights to televise all Phoenix Suns home games, beginning in the 2003-04 NBA season. The multi-year television rights deal was announced today by Fox Sports Net Arizona Vice President & General Manager, Rebecca O’Sullivan and Suns President, Rick Welts.
The new deal calls for FSN AZ to be the exclusive regional cable television home of the Suns and marks the first time ever that the Phoenix-based regional sports cable network telecasts NBA games. As for Phoenix Suns road games, they can continue to be seen in Phoenix on KUTP-UPN 45.
“We are extremely excited to be able to become long-term broadcast partners with an organization like the Phoenix Suns,” said O’Sullivan. “In addition to being one of the most-highly respected clubs in professional sports, this is an exciting team and one that has a very bright future. We can’t wait for next season to start.”
“Fox Sports Net is the recognized leader in live sports coverage in Arizona and we are delighted to have them producing and televising our home games beginning next season,” said Welts. “Adding the Suns home games to Fox Sports Net Arizona’s programming lineup is a perfect fit for our team and our fans."
By acquiring the rights to the Suns, FSN continues to televise the most regional sports action in the state, airing approximately 1,200 hours of original local programming a year. Along with the Suns, the network is also the exclusive cable television home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, University of Arizona, Arizona State University and the nightly Arizona Sports Report. The network is currently seen in 1.5 million households in Arizona and New Mexico.
Fox Sports Net is America’s first truly national, regional and local supplier of sports programming, and reaches more than 79 million homes through its 21 regional sports networks. With the addition of the Suns to its lineup, FSN now has the rights to 67 of the 80 NBA, NHL and MLB U.S. based teams, including 22 of the 28 NBA teams.