It appears the majority of Avalanche fans won't be able to watch the team's season opener on Oct. 3 GETTY IMAGES
The "weeks-long dispute" among Altitude Sports and distributors Comcast, DirecTV and Dish Network "isn't close to being resolved and will likely carry on" beyond the Avalanche's season opener on Oct. 3, according to sources cited by Mike Singer of the DENVER POST. As a result, the "majority of fans won't be able to watch the season opener on television." There has been "little discussion" between the parties as the distributors "continue to insist on discounted rates of over 50% and a plan to keep Altitude on a sports tier package, which would limit distribution." Kroenke Sports & Entertainment President & CEO Jim Martin said, "We are dealing with a unified refusal to deal and they're not budging on anything, in fact not even indicating any willingness to talk." Singer notes Altitude has "looked into streaming options while trying to assess its options." It is possible that at some point, NBA and NHL offices could "potentially help arbitrate." Comcast released a statement that read, "We have been negotiating in good faith with Altitude and want to reach an agreement with the network, but it must be at a reasonable price" (DENVER POST, 9/26).
