Sinclair buys Fox Sports regional networks

Going as well as expected:

Sinclair’s Sports Channels Prepare Bankruptcy, Putting Team Payments at Risk

 

If they don't pay, does that mean teams can look elsewhere for a carrier?

 

They're all in the transfer protocol.

 

I can't tell you how much it would pain me not to be subjected to "Pick the Stick" in 2023 Tiger TV broadcasts. Jack Morris has already been let go (or decided the pay cut wasn't worth his time).

 

Pick to Click for the White Sox was always hilarious
Hawk: “I’ll take the Big Hurt, Darren wants Robin and the boys in the truck take Rock Raines.”

 

SBJ has talked about NBA/MLB/NHL forming a group to take control of the networks. Who knows who'd operate them. They also mentioned the guy from Fanatics being involved.

I'd guess the teams are the biggest creditors.

 

I haven't watched an inning of Rangers baseball since Ballyclair took over. That coincides with some sucky baseball, though, so I can't claim correlation.

 

Since MLB and NHL already share facilities and talent for their networks I wouldn’t be surprised to see them join forces to preserve local telecasts

Diamond Sports Group’s Bankruptcy Could Rock the Baseball Revenue Boat

 

Same for me with the Angels, since bally isn't on dish.

Doesn't seem like I am missing much.

 

This bankruptcy will ahve a big impact on professional sports. The rise in franchise values, salary caps, etc. in the NHL, NBA and MLB have been driven in large part by the money generated from cable television and their subscriber fees.

But the number of cable households are declining. Logically, the regional sports channels are starting to go bust. While I am sure the teams will scramble to and find alternate providers I don't think the new providers will pay as well as the old carriers.

The problem will be most acute for MLB. MLB broadcasts generate a lot of interest in their local markets. The ratings of an MLB team almost always crush those of the local NBA or NHL team. As a result of this interest MLB teams generate a high percentage of their revenue from these networks. These revenues have helped mitigate the decline in MLB attendnace.

 

I find their current announcing team to be pretty snoozeworthy, too. Bad baseball, dull-as-dishwater announcers = "Sweet thang, what else might be on?"

 

The only reason I haven’t lost touch with the Preds is that ESPN Plus mistakenly thinks I live outside the blackout zone.