FSN Southwest signed amultiyear extension to keep the rightsto the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.
The RSN confirmed the extension but would not comment further.The deal is thought to be for at least seven years, according to sourcesfamiliar with the talks.
Recent NBA rights deals saw Comcast pay $12 million to $13million a year for the Trail Blazers in Portland and FSN pay $25 million a yearfor the Cavaliers in Cleveland.
Those prices were driven up by competition both in theCleveland market, where SportsTime Ohio has been operating for more than oneyear, and Portland, where Comcast plans to launch an RSN before next season.
The Mavs deal, which takes effect for the coming season, willsee FSN Southwest broadcast 42 games, the same number as the year before. TheFox-owned RSN has held the rights to Mavericks games since 1983.
FSN Southwest controls the majority of ad sales inventory inthe Mavericks’ telecasts.
Dallas’ CBS affiliate aired 30 games last year, and isexpected to cut a deal giving it the same number this year. The remaining 10 games are available on nationaloutlets or not televised.
