May 18, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter in game six of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
February 2026 may become one of the most consequential months in years for fans of the Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, Orlando Magic, and Miami Heat. Each franchise faces decisions that will reshape how Florida watches live sports, with the next three weeks determining where games will air and who will control the broadcasts.
Rays and Marlins Join MLB.TV
The Rays and Marlins were among nine Major League Baseball teams that left Main Street Sports in January, reclaiming their local television rights. Both clubs joined MLB.TV on Tuesday, becoming part of the league’s expanding in‑house distribution model. Fans are expected to learn soon where they can watch games throughout the 2026 season and beyond.
Magic and Heat Confront Urgent Uncertainty
The Magic and Heat now face a more pressing challenge. Main Street Sports, operating under the FanDuel Networks brand, is nearing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing. Reports from Sports Business Journal and Front Office Sports, confirmed by the Sports Talk Florida, indicate the filing could come as early as the first week of March. That timeline leaves both NBA teams with little room to maneuver.
Leagues Prepare for Potential Collapse
The NBA and NHL are preparing for Main Street’s possible shutdown. League officials say contingency plans are in place ahead of March as teams across the country brace for uncertainty. One NBA executive described the situation to the Tampa Free Press as “chaotic and unstable.”
Main Street’s decline began after it took over operations from Diamond Sports, which filed for bankruptcy in 2024 while operating under the Bally Sports brand. Conditions never improved as Main Street searched unsuccessfully for a buyer.
DAZN Deal Falls Apart
DAZN entered talks in November 2025 to purchase Main Street Sports as a way to expand its U.S. presence. The streaming service, which has 65 million subscribers worldwide, currently holds only boxing and combat sports rights domestically.
Those talks collapsed in January. After nine MLB clubs exited Main Street, the DAZN deal unraveled. Main Street then informed the NBA and NHL that without a buyer or partner, it would shut down at the end of the season.
Some Teams Planned Ahead
The Lightning and Panthers anticipated the turmoil last year and regained their home broadcast rights, forming a statewide network with Scripps Sports and launching a direct‑to‑consumer option. Several other NHL and NBA teams took similar steps to avoid the current crisis.
Will Main Street Survive Until Playoffs?
The central question now is whether Main Street can survive long enough to reach the playoffs — or whether it will fold beforehand. Thirteen NBA teams, including the Magic and Heat, expect an answer soon as leagues prepare for a potentially unprecedented mid‑season broadcast shift.
