In this modern landscape of the NBA, it feels like one of the most consistent gripes fans have about the NBA product is the inconsistency when it comes to how to watch games. Minnesota Timberwolves fans as well as the fanbases of every other team in the association struggle with figuring out how to watch their team on a consistent basis.
Sometimes, the game can be found on a national broadcast on ESPN or TNT, especially if it is a prime matchup between two contending teams. Other times, fans can tune in to watch games on NBA league pass. But then the caveat becomes location.
To use the Timberwolves as an example, NBA league pass blacks out games in the Minneapolis market. So Wolves fans located across the globe would be fine to use this method to watch games, but hometown fans located in the Twin Cities would have to find an alternate method to watch. Those methods would include purchasing FanDuel Sports Network's package that includes the Timberwolves, or using some type of illegal stream, which is what many have turned to these days.
All this makes for an extremely frustrating viewing experience, especially for tenured, die-hard fans. Many are nostalgic for the era where all the games were simply broadcast on the local TV channels, with no subscriptions necessary. Well, on Wednesday morning, the Timberwolves made an exciting announcement on this topic.
Wolves fans can watch five games on local TV this season
According to a press release from the Timberwolves' official website, the team has announced a new broadcast deal in which Minnesota's games will return to free, over-the-air television via KARE 11. Before anyone gets too excited, it should be noted right away that this new deal is only for five regular season games in 2024-25. However, this is still a very positive development.
This deal will mark the first time since 2012 that Wolves games will return to local, over-the-air television. Minnesota will have their games on December 21 against the Golden State Warriors, February 8 against the Portland Trail Blazers, March 9 against the San Antonio Spurs, March 16 and April 13 against the Utah Jazz all broadcast on local airwaves.
The broadcasts will be made possible through a partnership between KARE 11, TEGNA’s NBC affiliate serving the Twin Cities, FanDuel Sports Network and the Minnesota Timberwolves themselves. These broadcasts are expected to be available for approximately 1.5 million households between Minneapolis, St. Paul and the surrounding regions. Yes, it is only for a measly five games, but it is a step in the right direction regardless.
The fact that the team heard the noise from the fanbase about wanting simple, local broadcasts of Timberwolves games and actually responded is no small thing. The best thing Wolves fans can do is tune into these broadcasts, and then give feedback to the broadcast partners to let them know the fanbase wants more of this going forward.