The Los Angeles Clippers are entering the 2026-27 NBA season under a cloud of uncertainty, facing severe penalties from the league that have not only impacted their roster but also their visibility on television. The NBA imposed historic sanctions on the team for circumventing the salary cap in relation to star forward Kawhi Leonard. These penalties include the loss of five first-round draft picks, a hefty $30 million fine, and suspensions for key executives, including owner Steve Ballmer.
While the sanctions primarily focus on roster management and financial implications, the Clippers are also likely to experience a significant reduction in their television presence during the upcoming season. This is particularly concerning as the team has not yet disclosed its broadcast plans for the 2026-27 campaign, leaving fans in the dark about how they will be able to watch their games.
The Clippers were previously associated with Main Street Sports Group, a regional sports network operator that ceased airing live games after the first round of last season’s NHL playoffs. This has left the Clippers in a precarious position, as many teams that were once part of Main Street Sports have already secured new broadcasting arrangements, often turning to London-based DAZN for their media needs. DAZN has recently inked deals with several teams, including the Orlando Magic and the Minnesota Timberwolves, highlighting a trend of teams seeking more reliable broadcasting options.
In the past, the Clippers delayed announcing their local media plans until just before the season commenced. If this pattern continues, fans may have to wait over a month to learn about the 2026-27 local broadcast schedule. Prior to the sanctions, the Clippers were expected to renew their agreement with KTLA-TV, owned by Nexstar, and were exploring the possibility of launching their own media network. There was also talk of reviving the ClippersVision direct-to-consumer service, which had previously operated for three years before being absorbed into Main Street Sports’ local streaming service.
On a national scale, the Clippers are not expected to play a significant role in the NBA's broadcast landscape this season. Their schedule features only eight national television appearances, ranking them tied for 19th in the league. This represents a dramatic drop from the 21 national games they had during the 2025-26 season. Their national broadcasts include four on NBC, two on ESPN, and one each on Amazon and Peacock, with only two of these games scheduled before Christmas.
The reduction in national airtime is not surprising, given the Clippers' disappointing performance last season. They were eliminated early in the NBA Play-In Tournament, resulting in their absence from the postseason for the first time in four years. This setback has compounded their ongoing rebuilding efforts, which are now further complicated by the loss of draft picks due to the recent sanctions. Currently, the Clippers are tied with five other teams for the longest odds to win the 2027 NBA Finals, each with an implied probability of just 0.1%. The excitement surrounding the new Intuit Dome, which opened in 2024, has also diminished as the team faces these challenges.
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