For many die-hard New Orleans Pelicans fans, the desire for a consistent and accessible way to watch their team is finally becoming a reality. The new broadcast deal between the Pelicans and Gray Media ensures nearly all games this season will air for free, removing the need for special sports packages or costly channel subscriptions.
This is welcome news for fans who have struggled in recent years to keep up with the team. Pelicans fandom in New Orleans has grown as the team has found increasing success in the NBA. With stars like Zion Williamson taking the court, the Pelicans ended their latest season with their best record since 2009.
“To be able to go out and have that many wins and try and build upon that with more eyes upon you… I think it’s going to grow the fanbase in a pretty significant way,” said Locked on Pelicans Podcast host Jake Madison. “It’s one of the most pivotal years they’ve had. Zion is now ready to maybe take that step forward. We’ve seen some really great things from him this off-season. He was healthy all of last year and now everyone’s going to be able to watch.”
Now, the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network aims to bring these moments into millions of living rooms, not just in New Orleans but across the region.
Rel Meyers, a founding member of the Pels 12 fan group, believes the new TV deal is an opportunity to grow the brand and invite thousands of new fans into the fold.
“It tells me that ownership is invested in getting this team in front of more people, more viewers,” Meyers said. “I think it’s going to be a really good thing extending into more of the Gulf Coast.”
Fans like Jacques Francois, a New Orleans native and freelance artist, are thrilled about the increased visibility. Francois, who has collaborated with the Pelicans for years, sees this as an opportunity for new creative projects.
“I am not able to talk about nothing, but I am going to say keep your eyes open and watch these games because you may see something brand new,” Francois said.
Francois has been involved with the team since his 300-foot-long mural debuted in the Smoothie King Center in 2022. Since then, he has created T-shirts, freebies, and even an award-winning backboard in collaboration with the Pelicans and their corporate sponsors. With Gray Media’s broadcast deal, Francois believes his work will reach a broader audience across the region.
“They say [it will be] 16 times the viewership now with the Gulf Coast partnership they have going on. I think it’s beyond anything I could have imagined,” he added.
New Orleans businesses are gearing up for the expanded broadcast reach. Restaurants, sports bars, and other venues will be able to easily find Pelicans games for their patrons.
Andrew Stephens, founder and owner of Sports Drink, a cafe/bar in the Irish Channel neighborhood, says his establishment, known for hosting Pelicans watch parties and podcast panels, will benefit from having easy access to games without relying on previous streaming services.
“Somewhere around here we got bunny ear antennas,” Stephens joked. “I think it really can be a true regional team like the Braves or the Astros. There is a huge gulf south region that the Pelicans can capitalize on they just have to go and win some ball games now.”
The Pelicans broadcast team says they can’t wait for more people to have free access to the games.
Former NBA player Antonio Daniels, who now serves as the team’s TV Color Analyst, says having a supportive fan base for the team is crucial and that will only increase with the new deal.
“That’s huge when you talk about families in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, that now have access to Pelicans games that couldn’t watch Pelicans games before,” said Daniels. “The Pelicans have a pretty significant and passionate and vested fan base.”
He and play-by-play announcer Joel Meyers are hopeful that more people from along the Gulf Coast will travel to games, bringing with them more money for the economy.
“It would be nice if everybody came to town the same way people appreciate the Saints and look forward to Saints weekends,” Meyers said. “Economically, it’s going to be healthy for the city and for all of us.”
Gray Media’s Chief Operating Officer, Sandy Breland, says the partnership feels like a natural extension of the company’s work with the New Orleans Saints.
“The Pelicans have a growing fan base across the Gulf South region—Mississippi Gulf Coast, Alabama Gulf Coast,” Breland said. “This was a natural opportunity to grow that fan base, and there are fans there.”
Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser noted the potential tourism impact of broadcasting Pelicans games to millions.
“Anytime you see anything on TV that says New Orleans, like the Pelicans or Saints, it has great value to the tourism industry,” Nungesser said. “It’ll not only make people think about coming to New Orleans for a visit, but hopefully it’ll encourage some of those people to become Pelicans fans and buy tickets.”
The next chapter in the Pelicans’ story begins on October 23, in living rooms along the Gulf Coast, when they host the Chicago Bulls. More details on where to find the games on the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network will be released in the coming days.
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