Wolves' broadcaster Jim Petersen teases 'big news' coming Friday

Big news is coming soon from the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to a tease from longtime television analyst Jim Petersen.

Petersen tweeted: “Big news coming tomorrow ya’ll! Stay tuned.”

What could he be hinting at? Well, the Timberwolves haven’t announced the television broadcast crew for the first season under the DAZN brand, following years under the FOX Sports North, Bally Sports North, and FanDuel Sports North banners.

Petersen will undoubtedly return as the top television analyst, but Michael Grady’s ascension as one of the top announcers in the NBA and WNBA means he won’t be able to call all of Minnesota’s games. Rumors suggest Grady will handle fewer Wolves games than last season, when he called about a third of them.

Eric Collins would’ve been a dream hire, but the Charlotte Hornets and Barrett Media announced Thursday that Collins and longtime sidekick Dell Curry will return for their 12th and 18th seasons, respectively. The Hornets have also pivoted to DAZN as its direct-to-consumer streaming partner, but have yet to announce the cost.

The Hornets have also partnered with local stations in the Carolinas to provide over-the-air broadcasts of all non-nationally televised regular-season games.

The Timberwolves’ DAZN partnership will include 15 free games on an over-the-air provider, though the channel and games haven’t been announced. Fifteen other games will be free on the DAZN app. To get all of the games on DAZN, fans have to sign up for one of four subscriptions:

• Monthly Pass – $19.99/month: Two concurrent streams in one location, plus downloads.
• Monthly Pass Ultimate – $24.99/month: Five concurrent streams in two locations, plus multiview, downloads, alternate angles and feeds.
• Season Pass – $119.99/season: Two concurrent streams in one location, plus downloads.
• Season Pass Ultimate – $139.99/season: Five concurrent streams in two locations, plus multiview, downloads, alternate angles and feeds.

Petersen is likely teasing one of two things:

1. A new play-by-announcer.
2. The over-the-air TV partner, which, in the Twin Cities, would be one of WCCO, KSTP, FOX 9, KARE 11, PBS, The CW, WFTC, or ION.

The Timberwolves report to training camp on Monday, Sept. 28. The first preseason game is on Oct. 5, and the regular season begins on Oct. 21.