Minnesota Wild cuts RSN ties to launch owned-and-operated media network
The NHL's Minnesota Wild is launching an owned-and-operated multimedia network for the 2026-27 season to manage its own production and distribution. The initiative, pursued in collaboration with NHL Productions, aims to stabilize game delivery across cable, OTA, and direct-to-consumer streaming following the bankruptcy of regional sports network partner FanDuel Sports.
Key Takeaways
- The team will produce approximately 70 of its 84 games, with the remainder reserved for national media partners.
- NHL Productions will provide centralized technical infrastructure, allowing the team to control all advertising inventory and sponsorship sales.
- The network replaces the defunct FanDuel Sports Network model, ensuring local distribution via a dedicated 'Wild channel' on cable and satellite.
- Streaming content will be available through a standalone direct-to-consumer subscription service, utilizing an existing technical platform rather than a league-wide hub.
- Regional broadcast talent, including Anthony LaPanta and Ryan Carter, will remain with the new production to maintain continuity for the fanbase.
Why It Matters
The Wild’s pivot reflects a structural movement across the NHL toward vertical integration as the RSN business model remains insolvent. By assuming production costs, the franchise gains defensive control over its local rights while significantly expanding the pool of potential distribution partners beyond traditional cable. This strategy mirrors recent shifts by MLB and NBA franchises seeking to mitigate revenue losses from cord-cutting through hybrid OTA and DTC models. The success of this transition hinges on the team's ability to monetize local inventory more efficiently than external agencies. Watch for the official monthly pricing of the Wild's DTC service as a benchmark for local NHL streaming value.
Additional Context
The transition by the Minnesota Wild comes amid the complete collapse of Main Street Sports Group (formerly Diamond Sports Group), which ceased regional operations following a multi-year bankruptcy process. Per Sports Business Journal (July 2026), the NHL is investing a high-seven to low-eight-figure sum over three seasons to build out a centralized production arm. The league recently appointed former MLB Network President Rob McGlarry as General Manager of Local Media to oversee this initiative, which aims to provide teams like the Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, and Blues with professional-grade technical services previously handled by RSNs. The NHL’s move follows a similar blueprint established by Major League Baseball, which took over production for 15 teams during the 2025 season. According to reports from Barrett Media (July 2026), the league-led model allows franchises to retain significantly higher percentages of advertising revenue, though they take on direct operating risks. This shift is gaining momentum; of the seven teams previously managed by FanDuel Sports, nearly all have migrated to independent or league-supported solutions. The Detroit Red Wings, for instance, transitioned to the team-owned Detroit SportsNet, while the Nashville Predators shifted to Scripps Sports. The urgency for these transitions increased as mid-tier streaming services also faced volatility. On July 15, 2026, the Anaheim Ducks and MLB’s Texas Rangers both terminated their agreements with Victory+ after the service reportedly missed rights fee payments. These disruptions have accelerated the league's push toward a more robust, centralized media architecture. While some teams still prioritize pay-TV carriage for reach, the long-term industry consensus, as noted by Wild executives, points toward an eventual transition to pure direct-to-consumer streaming.
Read full article at twincities.com
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