Scripps Sports has scored local rights to its first NBA team, as the Pistons will air games over-the-air with the company beginning with the 2026-27 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Games will air in the Detroit DMA, surrounding areas and across the state of Michigan.
The move to Scripps comes after the team had long been on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, which folded following the season. This will mark the first time local Pistons games will primarily be on free TV since 2005.
Scripps-owned WMYD TV20 Detroit will be the home for the Pistons, producing and airing all non-national TV games. The station had aired five Pistons games previously. Scripps also owns WXYZ-ABC in the market, and will use that affiliate’s news team to develop coverage of the Pistons. Scripps will engage its other Michigan stations in the coming months to create a broader distribution network.
Both sides will also collaborate on a DTC app, with more details expected in the coming months.
That includes pregame, in‑game and postgame programming, as well as a weekly, half‑hour Pistons show. There will also be team content integrated across broadcasts and digital programming on Scripps’ channels.
“The fandom around the Pistons is high,” noted Brian Lawlor, President of Scripps Sports. “The best team in the East deserves the best broadcast platform.”
Scripps already does local game distribution for five NHL teams — the Golden Knights, Mammoth, Predators, Lightning and Panthers — as well as the WNBA’s Aces.
The Pistons were one of 13 NBA teams were looking for new local TV home next season after the collapse of Main Street Sports Group. The Hawks, Hornets, Cavaliers, Pacers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Heat, Bucks, T’Wolves, Thunder, Magic and Spurs were the others.
Sources told SBJ that the Hornets were among the teams considering a deal with streaming platform Victory+. Sources also told SBJ last month that Fubo makes surprise pitch to all 13 NBA teams that fled Main Street. DAZN, Gray TV and Nexstar have also been reported as local options for teams.
The Pistons’ former RSN also was the home to the Tigers and Red Wings, but those clubs – both owned by the Ilitch family — launched Detroit SportsNet in collaboration with MLB Media. That first-of-its-kind, hybrid model has MLB producing and distributing Tigers games this season, and providing broadcast support for the Red Wings’ 2026-27 games.