Dallas Stars considering replacing Bally Sports with free streamer

The Dallas Stars are the latest American pro sports team seeking options for life after Bally Sports.

Texas' NHL team said that it is working with a company to create a direct-to-consumer (DTC) service where fans can stream games for free. Team CEO and president Brad Alberts confirmed the news with Dallas Morning News' Lia Assimakopoulos, citing the need to be prepared for whatever may come of its regional sports channel, Bally Sports Southwest. "It’s all about where is Bally? Do we have an RSN or not?," Alberts said. "We have to have contingency plans. This certainly is an option if Bally isn’t an option.”

Bally Sports Southwest, of course, is owned by Diamond Sports Group, the beleaguered operator that is still in the midst of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

In the article, Assimakopoulos refers to the unavailability of the linear channel on some multi-video distributors such as YouTube TV and Hulu as one reason for frustration among some Stars fans. In addition, the pricing of Bally Sports' current DTC offering may not be ideal either, especially for those who cut the cord from traditional cable and live out-of-market:

"Plus, the price for in-market fans is higher than out-of-market. Fans in North Texas can subscribe to the Bally Sports+ app to watch Mavericks, Stars and Wings games (Rangers games are a separate cost) for $19.99 per month or $189.99 per season. Out-of-market fans subscribing to NHL Power Play on ESPN+ pay just $10.99 a month or $109.99 per year."

A free service certainly upends the idea of paying to watch Stars games, especially as the team sits atop the Central Division standings and has the look of a Stanley Cup contender in the coming years. With more fans being able to see their local team - avoiding the blackouts that come from ESPN+ - the service could attract more local and regional sponsorships to make up for, if not eclipse the shortfall that comes from dropping a paid platform.

The Stars are continuing the trend of individual pro teams testing the waters in the local and regional space as Diamond continues to await the white knight that is Amazon to save it from complete collapse. The defending Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights and the Arizona Coyotes are blending their own paid streaming services with their linear channels. Outside of the NHL, the Phoenix Suns and Mercury moved to broadcast TV and are offering a paid service for their fans while several other NBA teams have started moving select games from their Bally Sports channels to free broadcast TV.