LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – The New Orleans Pelicans and Gray Television, the parent company of KPLC, announced Saturday (Dec. 30) a deal to televise 10 of the NBA team’s games this season.
The 10-game slate begins with the Jan. 12 game at Denver against the defending NBA champion Nuggets.
The new distribution agreement will make Pelicans games available to more than three million households on 11 Gray Television stations across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
“We know people in this region are passionate about their sports,” said Sandy Breland, Gray’s Chief Operating Officer. “We are thrilled to partner with the Pelicans and make these games available for all fans.”
Under the terms of the deal, the 10 games will be televised live in the Lake Charles market by 7NEWS on channel 7.2 as free, over-the-air broadcasts.
In addition, the games will be simulcast on Louisiana’s Gray TV stations in Baton Rouge (WAFB), Shreveport (KSLA), New Orleans (WVUE), Monroe (KNOE) and Alexandria (KALB). Mississippi’s Gray TV stations in Biloxi (WLOX), Jackson (WLBT), Hattiesburg (WDAM) and Meridian (WTOK) also will carry the games, as will WALA, the Gray station in Mobile, Ala.
“This will help grow more fans,” said Fox 8 general manager Mikel Schaefer. “It will bring the game to more people and that’s just a benefit to everyone.
“We broadcast the Saints preseason games. Now we’ll be broadcasting some Pelicans games. It’s all part of what we’re doing here at the station to bring more of that content to the people of the region.”
The 10-game slate includes:
Fri. Jan. 12 at Denver, 8 p.m.
Fri. Jan. 19 vs. Phoenix, 7 p.m.
Fri. Feb 9 at Los Angeles Lakers, 9:30 p.m.
Tues. Feb. 27 at New York, 6:30 p.m.
Fri. March 1 vs. Indiana, 7 p.m.
Fri. March 22 at Miami, 7 p.m.
Tues. March 26 vs. Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.
Sun. April 7 at Phoenix, 5 p.m.
Fri. April 12 at Golden State, 9 p.m.
10th game TBD
Following Saturday’s announcement, Gray also will seek distribution arrangements for this set of games with additional markets in Louisiana and Mississippi that are owned by other broadcasters.
Dennis Lauscha, president of the NBA team, said, “The Pelicans welcome the opportunity to partner with Gray Television in this 10-game deal that will provide over-the-air viewing access to Pelicans games for more than three million households and over seven million people across the Gulf South region.”
The Pelicans’ broadcast team of play-by-play announcer Joel Meyers, analyst and former NBA player Antonio Daniels and sideline reporter Jennifer Hale will remain in place for the 10 games carried by Fox 8 and Gray TV.
The Pelicans join the Phoenix Suns and the Atlanta Hawks in striking broadcast rights deals with Gray Television.
“It’s happened in a number of places,” Schaefer said. “Our company, Gray, has acquired the rights for the Phoenix Suns. Now, they have a 10-game package with the Atlanta Hawks this season. We’re following suit. So, yeah, it’s very important to our company and we’re happy to be along with it.”
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