Jazz: We Will Work With Those Affected By League Pass Blackouts
Oct 24, 2023, 7:22 PM
Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith (Credit: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Credit: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz indicated they would work with fans who had previously signed up for NBA League Pass to watch the team’s games this season, only to learn that those games may be blacked out after the team expanded their broadcast area.
Early Tuesday the Jazz announced that new broadcast agreements would allow the team to air games in Idaho and Montana, as well as parts of Oregon, Wyoming, and Washington.
However, with those expanded agreements, fans can now access those games via local providers, leading to blackouts for League Pass subscribers.
During a press conference Tuesday evening, Jazz governor Ryan Smith addressed working to find a solution for those affected.
“I promise, we’ll get it all figured out,” Smith said,” with League Pass and blackouts, working with the NBA, I’ll just tell fans right now.”
Listen To The Full Ryan Smith, Danny Ainge Press Conference Here
Ryan Smith on the new @utahjazz league pass blackouts:
“I’ll just tell fans right now, send me your receipt of your league pass and your zip code and some clarification I’ll give you Jazz+ account.”#takenote
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) October 24, 2023
Smith offered to give fans who subscribed for League Pass a Jazz+ streaming account, but for those who are outside of the streaming footprint, a solution could be more difficult.
Root Sports NorthWest now owns the Jazz broadcast and streaming rights for fans in parts of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and all of Montana, precluding Jazz+ from operating in those areas.
That means fans may need a pricier monthly cable subscription to watch games, rather than the one-time League Pass fee which ranges between $89.99-149.99.
While the Jazz couldn’t guarantee a refund for everyone who signed up for League Pass who now finds games blacked out, Chief Communications Officer Caroline Klein indicated the team will work to find a solution so fans are stuck footing two bills.
“We’ll figure out a way so the fans have one or the other and aren’t paying for both.”
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.
