NY sports fans lose MSG Networks as Optimum fee dispute escalates

MSG Networks has gone dark for Optimum customers after negotiations between the two companies collapsed over certain types of fees — part of an ongoing standoff that is likely to rile New York sports fans.

The dispute leaves fans of the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders and Devils without televised access to their favorite teams in the middle of the NBA and NHL seasons.

Optimum, owned by Altice USA, accused MSG Networks of demanding exorbitant fees that force non-sports viewers to subsidize sports programming.

“Now more than ever, especially in this economy, it is unfair for MSG Networks to demand non-viewers to pay and demand high license fees, especially when there are ways for fans to get games directly from MSG through their direct-to-consumer Gotham Sports app,” Optimum said in a statement.

MSG Networks countered that it offered Optimum “fair and reasonable” terms, proposing to keep its content on air during negotiations.

MSG Networks accused Altice of trying to charge their customers more for less content, in a statement saying Optimum recently initiated price hikes of nearly 50% for existing customers and 70% for new ones.

New York Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages, who represents parts of Long Island, expressed concern over the impasse on Thursday.

“This decision leaves countless fans of the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, and Devils without access to their favorite teams during a critical time for sports and community engagement,” she said in a statement.

Solages urged both sides to prioritize affordable programming and find a resolution.

As tensions remain unresolved, frustrated fans may need to consider streaming alternatives or switching providers to follow their teams this season.