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The Portland Trail Blazers are exiting their local TV deal with Root Sports ahead of the coming NBA season despite having one more year left on their agreement.

Why it matters: The Blazers are the second NBA team this month, and fourth overall, to trade in lucrative cable TV deals for cheaper broadcast and streaming rights agreements.

Zoom in: In its short statement Wednesday night, the Blazers said an announcement regarding its new TV partner "will be made soon."

The Blazers are currently negotiating with as many as four local broadcast stations, with Gray-owned KPTV and Sinclair-owned KATU said to be leaders, according to Sports Business Journal.

The team is also developing a streaming app, SBJ reports.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the New Orleans Pelicans would ditch their RSN — owned by beleaguered RSN group Diamond — in favor of a deal with the Gray TV-owned station.

Last year, both the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns left their respective RSNs.

What's next: With the NBA season fast approaching, many teams find themselves in limbo about where their local games will be broadcast.

The ongoing bankruptcy of Diamond Sports Group has led to consternation for the 14 teams whose games are aired on Diamond's Bally networks.

The struggling RSN group has at multiple times delayed its confirmation hearing to exit bankruptcy as it works to secure more carriage deals and cut new agreements with its NBA and NHL teams.

With opening night two months away, Diamond does not have a confirmation hearing date set.

Trail Blazers latest NBA team to bolt cable TV

Teams are trading in cable for local broadcast stations.

Scoot Henderson #00, Dalano Banton #5, Rayan Rupert #72, and Duop Reath #26 of the Portland Trail Blazers walk to the bench during a timeout against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on March 27, 2024

Scoot Henderson, Dalano Banton, Rayan Rupert and Duop Reath at State Farm Arena on March 27, 2024. Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

National Basketball Association (NBA)

The Portland Trail Blazers are exiting their local TV deal with Root Sports ahead of the coming NBA season despite having <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one more year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5701918/2024/08/14/trail-blazers-tv-partner-nba/" data-vars-content-id="ad60af6f-37fe-439a-b7c3-e46f3b6a8aa8" data-vars-headline="Trail Blazers latest NBA team to bolt cable TV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5701918/2024/08/14/trail-blazers-tv-partner-nba/" target="_blank">one more year</a> left on their agreement.Why it matters: The Blazers are the second NBA team this month, and fourth overall, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to trade in" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2023/10/10/pro-sports-local-tv-model" data-vars-content-id="ad60af6f-37fe-439a-b7c3-e46f3b6a8aa8" data-vars-headline="Trail Blazers latest NBA team to bolt cable TV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2023/10/10/pro-sports-local-tv-model" target="_self">to trade in</a> lucrative cable TV deals for cheaper broadcast and streaming rights agreements.

Trail Blazers latest NBA team to bolt cable TV

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