and the carriers of these networks are paying a lot of money to carry them. If the NBA didn't black out games, the carriers would be upset with the networks and the networks would be upset with the NBA. I'm obviously oversimplifying it as all of this is detailed in contracts between carriers and networks, and networks and the NBA. Until carriers and their oligarchies finally weaken to the point where they can no longer dictate everything, blackouts are going to be part of the experience. They would rather have you pay $100 a month to watch the Jazz, than $180 for an entire season.