Mobile/Pensacola – Gray Media, in partnership with the New Orleans Pelicans, announces a transformative media rights deal to bring every non-national Pelicans NBA game to 4.1 million households through a new soon-to-be launched multi-state distribution venture called Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network anchored by Gray’s New Orleans television station WVUE and aired locally on WALA FOX10.

The new network will broadcast free, over-the-air and be made available on a variety of pay-TV platforms through Gray’s television stations including WALA FOX10 in the Mobile/Pensacola market, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Alexandria, Louisiana;  Biloxi, Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Meridian, Mississippi.

By moving the Pelicans games to Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, the team will be available to increase its reach by 16 times over the team’s reach through its previous distribution arrangement with a non-broadcast regional sports network.

“Gray Media is thrilled to be able to leverage our resources to connect our loyal viewers with the growing number of Pelicans fans across the Gulf South,” said Sandy Breland, Chief Operating Officer, Gray Media.  “The Pelicans are putting their fans first as now all fans will have the ability to watch the games free over-the-air or through any basic cable, satellite service, or streaming provider that carries the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network.”

“This partnership with Gray Media represents our commitment to our fans, community, and partners across Louisiana and the Gulf South,” said Pelicans Governor Gayle Benson. “Our focus has been to make Pelicans games accessible to as many fans as possible, and this deal means that Pelicans games will now be available to millions of more fans with this free, over-the-air broadcast product.”

“WALA FOX10 is proud to be part of the new Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network and very excited to bring the New Orleans Pelicans to the Alabama, Northwest Florida Coast,” said Eric Duncan, Vice President and General Manager, WALA FOX10. “In a world where viewership continues to become more fractured, sports, local news and weather remain constant. The Pelicans will anchor a sports and entertainment channel that will also allow us to tap into great sporting events and programs from the region. Tying GCSEN to the number one news and weather station, WALA FOX10, and the digital and streaming offerings it provides will allow for great marketing opportunities for our partners. We can’t wait to get started and GO PELS!”

“Providing the best overall fan experience and accessibility to the team remains our number one priority,” said Pelicans President Dennis Lauscha. “This new media deal delivers Pelicans coverage to a much larger audience throughout Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast. We are thrilled to partner with Gray Media to bring premier access and unique team content to our fans.”

In Mobile/Pensacola, WALA FOX10 will air at least eight Pelicans regular season games and all available post-season games, with the remaining regular season games airing on the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network.  The first New Orleans Pelicans game will air live on WALA and simulcast on GCSEN Wednesday October 23rd at 7 p.m. when the Pelicans take on the Chicago Bulls.  The map below denotes the geographic reach of the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network.