PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Thursday their games will be produced by Major League Baseball for a second straight season, as sports leagues across the U.S. adjust to the decline of regional cable networks.
The defending National League champions had their games produced by MLB for the final 2 1/2 months of last season after a federal bankruptcy judge granted a motion for Diamond Sports to reject its rights agreement.
“We took time to weigh all of our broadcast options for the upcoming season and how they would each impact our fans,” Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said in a statement. “MLB Media stepped in last year when we needed them to and ensured a seamless transition for all viewers.
"They reached more households than our prior partnership, improved production quality dramatically, and offered a top-of-the-line streaming product with no blackouts.”
The D-backs' games will be available from MLB for $99.99, while the league-wide package is $199.99. The D-backs said local viewing options will be announced ater.
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Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. The Coyotes play at Mullett Arena on ASU's Tempe campus.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
