Brooklyn Nets, YES Network Ink New Rights Deal

The Brooklyn Nets have reached a new agreement for media rights with the YES Network.  Last month, SBJ’s John Ourand reported that the Nets used a contractual “reset” that occurs every five years in its deal with YES Network majority owner Fox Sports in order to increase its rights fee to an annual average of around $40 million. Although shorter than the previous deal that ran through 2031-32, the new deal begins with the 2017-18 season and runs well into the next decade, according to the report.

“We are happy that our agreement with the YES Network extends our relationship with the nation’s number one regional sports network,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center. “The increased commitment from YES positions us as a premium NBA team.”

“YES’ extensive, Emmy Award-winning multi-media coverage of the Nets has played a key role as the franchise has built its Brooklyn brand, and we are pleased to extend our relationship with this long-term deal,” said Tracy Dolgin, President & CEO of the YES Network.

The YES Network has televised Nets games since the inception of the network in 2002.  YES has won 17 New York Emmy Awards in the past eight years for its Nets coverage.  YES’ on-air talent this season includes Ian Eagle and Ryan Ruocco handling play-by-play duties, Jim Spanarkel, Mike Fratello and Donny Marshall providing analysis, and Sarah Kustok reporting from the sidelines.