The networks for the New York Yankees and New York Knicks are forming a surprise alliance on a unique business venture, and some around the media world believe their grand plan could be for a streaming service with a bunch of New York City area sports teams.
On Thursday, the YES Network and MSG Networks completed a deal on a collaboration that is being called Gotham Advanced Media and Entertainment, or GAME. The goal of the venture is to create a new revenue stream for the two networks and the franchises they showcase by offering digital content distribution services to third parties.
The New York Yankees own the largest share of YES Network, while New York Knicks and New York Rangers boss James Dolan also owns MSG Network. While it would seem logical to work together, the Knicks and Yankees have feuded in the past as many of the franchises in the city have battled for the hearts and minds of NYC sports fans.
When YES was originally formed, several lawsuits were created as the fledgling network faced resistance from local cable service Cablevision, which was then owned by Dolan.
Networks for the New York Yankees and New York Knicks plotting service offering multiple NYC sports teams
However, with the landscape of television changing as new apps are introduced all the time, and consumers are cutting cords at record levels, unique alliances are being formed all over the TV spectrum. However, this alliance might have far bigger goals, as New York Post media insider Andrew Marchand explained after the deal.
“The significance of the YES, MSG deal is what it could mean in the future. There is a thought between the executives of MSG and YES that they could offer one service locally where people could get all their games, including the Yankees, Rangers, Knicks, Nets, and all the hockey that MSG has, in one place,” Marchand said.
“For sports fans, that in theory could be a win because right now if you want to cut the cord and have the Yankees on YES direct to consumer, and Knicks direct to consumer, it’s cumbersome. But if it was in one place it would be easier.”
The New York Mets have their network with SNY so it seems unlikely they would join such an alliance, but then again an MSG and YES deal seemed unlikely previously.
