CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In an exciting development for basketball fans in the region, the Charlotte Hornets will be broadcasting games for free on local television for the first time since the 2007-08 season.

On Tuesday, a partnership was announced involving the Hornets, Gray Media, Capitol Broadcasting, and FanDuel Sports Southeast to simulcast a total of five games. These broadcasts will be available to various markets across the Carolinas via the Palmetto Sports & Entertainment Network along with other affiliates of Gray Media. For viewers in Raleigh, the games will be distributed by Capitol Broadcasting Company.

In Charlotte, fans can catch the action on WSOC-TV Channel 9 and TV 64. The five scheduled games include matchups against some well-known teams: on January 27, the Hornets will face the Los Angeles Lakers; on January 31, they will compete against the Los Angeles Clippers; February 5 will see them battle the Milwaukee Bucks; February 27 will feature a game against the Dallas Mavericks; and finally, on March 3, they will take on the Golden State Warriors, a team that notably features Charlotte native Stephen Curry.

Hornets’ president of business operations, Shelly Cayette-Weston, expressed enthusiasm about this partnership, stating, “We’re excited to partner with Gray Media’s Palmetto Sports & Entertainment Network to make our FanDuel Sports Southeast broadcasts available to a wider audience across the Carolinas. As an organization, we remain committed to growing our fanbase, extending the reach of our TV audience, and making our broadcasts more accessible to all.”

This decision marks a significant step for the franchise in building its rapport and connection with local supporters, potentially drawing in new fans along the way. With these moves, the Hornets aim to enrich the viewing experience for their regional audience as they continue their season.