Open main menu
Home
Random
Recent changes
Special pages
Community portal
Preferences
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Incubator escapee wiki
Search
User menu
Talk
Dark mode
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Editing
Fox Sports Networks
(section)
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
==History== ===Beginnings=== [[File:Fox Sports Net building.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Former Fox Sports Net headquarters in Los Angeles]] At the dawn of the cable television era, many regional sports networks (RSNs) vied to compete with the largest national sports network, [[ESPN]]. The most notable were the [[SportsChannel]] network, which first began operating in 1976 with the launch of the original SportsChannel (now [[MSG Sportsnet]]) in the New York City area and later branched out into channels serving Chicago and Florida; [[Prime Sports|Prime Network]], which launched in 1983 with Home Sports Entertainment (now [[Bally Sports Southwest]]) as its charter member network and later branched out onto the West Coast as "Prime Sports"; and SportSouth, an RSN operated by the [[Turner Broadcasting System]]. On October 31, 1995, [[News Corporation]], which ten years earlier launched the [[Fox Broadcasting Company]], a general entertainment [[terrestrial television|broadcast]] network that formed its own [[Fox Sports (United States)|sports division]] in 1994 with the acquisition of the television rights to the [[National Football Conference]] of the [[National Football League]], entered into a joint venture with [[Tele-Communications Inc.|TCI]]'s [[Liberty Media]], acquiring a 50% ownership interest in the company's Prime Sports affiliates Liberty in turn gained a stake in Fox's year-old cable channel [[FX (TV channel)|FX]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Fox and Liberty Outline Plans for New Cable Venture |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1995/11/1/Sports-Media/Fox-AND-LIBERTY-OUTLINE-PLANS-FOR-NEW-CABLE-VENTURE.aspx?hl=Liberty%20Media&sc=1|website=[[Sports Business Journal]]|date=November 1, 1995|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Flint |first=Joe |date=1995-12-11 |title=Cabler FX considers sporting new image |url=https://variety.com/1995/tv/features/cabler-fx-considers-sporting-new-image-99130301/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> On July 3, 1996, News Corporation and Liberty Media/TCI announced that the Prime Sports networks would be rebranded under the new "Fox Sports Net" brand;<ref>{{cite news|title=Fox Gives New Name to Sports Alliance: Fox Sports NET|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/07/3/Sports-Media/Fox-GIVES-NEW-NAME-TO-SPORTS-ALLIANCE-FOX-SPORTS-NET.aspx?hl=Prime%20Sports&sc=1|website=Sports Business Journal|date=July 3, 1996|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref> the Prime Sports-branded affiliates were officially relaunched as Fox Sports Net on November 1 of that year.<ref>{{cite web |last=Umstead |first=R. Thomas |date=July 8, 1996 |title=Liberty Sports regionals will become Fox Sports net |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18535905.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145828/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18535905.html |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=April 7, 2015 |periodical=[[Multichannel News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fox Sports Net Debuts on Nov. 1|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23361533.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924191036/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23361533.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2015|agency=[[Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[The Columbian]]|date=September 13, 1996|access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fox Sports Net Announces Debut for November1|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/09/13/Sports-Media/Fox-SPORTS-NET-ANNOUNCES-DEBUT-FOR-NOVEMBER-1.aspx?hl=Liberty%20Media&sc=1|website=Sports Business Journal|date=September 13, 1996|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref> The first new network to come out of the partnership was [[Bally Sports Arizona|Fox Sports Arizona]] which launched on September 7, 1996, nearly two months before the existing networks would be rebranded.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fox Sports Arizona celebrates its 20th anniversary |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/fox-sports-arizona-celebrates-its-20th-anniversary |website=Fox Sports |access-date=22 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Edgy format benefits Fox Sports Net |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/124202765/ |access-date=23 June 2021 |work=Arizona Republic |date=July 23, 1998 |language=en}}</ref> That same year, Fox purchased SportSouth from Turner, and rebranded that network as [[Fox Sports South]] in January 1997.<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/ac83f3219626cf9e121e525f7b80f9b6 Murdoch launches new network right under Turner’s nose]</ref> On June 30, 1997, the Fox/Liberty joint venture purchased a 40% interest in [[Cablevision]]/[[NBC]]'s sports properties including the SportsChannel America networks, [[Madison Square Garden]], and the [[New York Knicks]] and [[New York Rangers]] professional sports franchises, a deal worth $850 million; the deal formed the venture National Sports Partners to run Fox Sports Net's national programming operations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Form 10-Q Fox Sports Networks Inc 10-Q - Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] |url=https://sec.report/Document/0001017062-02-001001/d10q.txt |website=SEC Report |publisher=Fox Sports Networks, Inc. |access-date=17 February 2022 |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217184856/https://sec.report/Document/0001017062-02-001001/d10q.txt |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Form 10-K August 14, 2012 |url=https://sec.report/Document/0001193125-12-355856/d389171d10k.htm |publisher=News Corporation |access-date=17 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Form 10-K August 13, 2018 |url=https://sec.report/Document/0001564590-18-021493/fox-10k_20180630.htm |website=SEC Report |publisher=Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. |access-date=17 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=National Sports Programming AGR |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1708341/000168316819002657/brac_ex1021.htm |publisher=National Sports Programming/WPT Enterprises, Inc.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=FSN Creates New Genre of Action Sports Programming |url=https://www.amcnetworks.com/press-releases/fsn-creates-new-genre-of-action-sports-programming/ |access-date=17 February 2022 |publisher=AMC Networks International |date=October 21, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fox putting together national Sports Net // Changes ahead for SportsChannel|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4383098.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924194306/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4383098.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2015|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=June 24, 1997|access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Higgins |first=John M. |author-link=John M. Higgins |date=June 30, 1997 |title=National net keys regional deal. (Fox Sports, Liberty Media Corp. challenge ESPN with stake in SportsChannel) |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19555907.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910170418/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19555907.html |archive-date=September 10, 2015 |access-date=April 7, 2015 |periodical=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sports Landscape Altered with Fox/Liberty-Cablevision Deal |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/06/23/Sports-Media/SPORTS-LANDSCAPE-ALTERED-WITH-FoxLIBERTY-CABLEVISION-DEAL.aspx?hl=FSN%20Chicago&sc=0|website=Sports Business Journal|date=June 23, 1997|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Higgins |first=John M. |author-link=John M. Higgins |date=June 23, 1997 |title=TCI/News Corp. $850M SportsChannel deal close. (Tele-Communications Inc, proposed acquisition of cable sports network) |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19587405.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910170423/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19587405.html |archive-date=September 10, 2015 |access-date=April 7, 2015 |periodical=Broadcasting & Cable}}</ref> In early 1998, SportsChannel America was integrated into the Fox Sports Net family of networks; SportsChannel Florida, however, remained as the lone SportsChannel America-branded network before it joined FSN as well in 2000 after News Corporation and Cablevision purchased [[Florida Panthers]] owner [[Wayne Huizenga]]'s controlling interest in that network.<ref>{{cite web |last=Donohue |first=Steve |date=November 15, 1999 |title=Rainbow, Fox Deal for Florida Net |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-57634827.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160112/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-57634827.html |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=April 7, 2015 |periodical=[[Multichannel News]]}}</ref> {{multiple image | align = right | direction = vertical | header = Former Fox Sports Networks logos | header_align = left/right/center | header_background = | footer = | footer_align = left/right/center | footer_background = | width = | image1 = Fox Sports Net logo 1996.png | width1 = 140 | caption1 = FSN logo from 1996 to 1999 | image2 = Fox-Sports-Net-Logo.jpg | width2 = 140 | caption2 = FSN logo from 1999 to 2004 | image3 = Fox Sports Net (logo).png | width3 = 140 | caption3 = FSN "pillbox" logo from 2004 until 2008 (remained in use until 2011 by networks that would become part of [[Root Sports]]) | image4 = FSN Logo.svg | width4 = 140 | caption4 = FSN logo from 2008 to 2012 <!-- Commented out:| image5 =Fox Sports logo.svg | width5 =140 | caption5 =Alternate FSN logo from 2008 to 2012, adopted from the parent [[Fox Sports (United States)|Fox Sports division]]-->}} ===Fox ownership=== In 1999, Liberty Media (which had become a subsidiary of [[AT&T Corporation|AT&T]] when AT&T acquired TCI earlier that year) sold its interest in Fox Sports Net and FX to News Corp. The sale was part of a complex transaction involving a stock swap that gave Liberty an 8% interest in News Corp, making it the second largest shareholder.<ref>{{cite news |title=News Corp. to buy Liberty Media's cable interest Murdoch's firm to gain control of Fox Sports, FX |url=https://www.deseret.com/platform/amp/1999/4/6/19438553/news-corp-to-buy-liberty-media-s-cable-interest-br-murdoch-s-firm-to-gain-control-of-fox-sports-fx |access-date=5 July 2021 |agency=Associated Press |date=April 6, 1999 |language=en}}</ref> News Corp became the sole owner of Fox Sports Net. On July 11, 2000, [[Comcast]] purchased a majority interest in the [[Minneapolis]]-based Midwest Sports Channel and [[Baltimore]]-based Home Team Sports from [[Viacom (original)|Viacom]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Zulgad |first=Judd |date=May 12, 2000 |title=Broadcast Sports; Local teams could be interested in buying MSC |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-62412577.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924161341/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-62412577.html |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=April 7, 2015 |newspaper=[[Star Tribune]]}}</ref> News Corporation, a minority owner in both networks, wanted to acquire them outright and integrate the two networks into Fox Sports Net. Home Team Sports had been affiliated with FSN since 1996.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fox Sports Networks Inc 2000 Annual Report S-K Item 405 10-K405 |url=https://sec.report/Document/0000944209-00-001542/ |website=SEC.report |access-date=2 July 2021 |language=en |date=September 28, 2000}}</ref> The company filed a lawsuit against Comcast ten days later on July 21, in an attempt to block the sale.<ref>{{cite web |last=Zulgad |first=Judd |date=July 12, 2000 |title=Comcast agrees to buy MSC; Announced deal appears to be a setback for Fox Sports Net |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-63336337.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924161646/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-63336337.html |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=April 7, 2015 |newspaper=Star Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Moss |first=Linda |last2=Umstead |first2=R. Thomas |date=July 24, 2000 |title=Fox Sports Net Suing to Block HTS Sell-Off.(Home Team Sports)(Brief Article) |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-63794445.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924161732/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-63794445.html |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=April 7, 2015 |periodical=Multichannel News}}</ref> On September 7, 2000, as part of a settlement between the two companies, Comcast traded its equity interest in Midwest Sports Channel (which became [[Fox Sports Net North]]) to News Corporation in exchange for exclusive ownership of Home Team Sports (which subsequently joined competing regional sports network [[Comcast SportsNet]] as Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, now [[NBC Sports Washington]]).<ref>{{cite news |last=Zulgad |first=Judd |date=September 8, 2000 |title=Broadcast Sports; Fox Sports' agreement to acquire MSC now final |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-65100150.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924161909/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-65100150.html |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=April 7, 2015 |newspaper=Star Tribune}}</ref> In September 2004, Fox Sports Net became known simply as "FSN"; however, the former name remained in common use until 2010, when "Fox Sports Local" was adopted for use in referencing its regional networks. On February 22, 2005, Fox's then-parent company, News Corporation, acquired full ownership of FSN/Fox Sports Local, following an asset trade with [[Cablevision|Cablevision Systems Corporation]], in which Fox sold its interest in Madison Square Garden and the arena's [[NBA]] and [[NHL]] team tenants in exchange for acquiring sole ownership of Fox Sports Ohio and Fox Sports Florida. Cablevision simultaneously gained sole ownership of Fox Sports Chicago and Fox Sports New York, and a 50% interest in Fox Sports New England (with [[Comcast]] retaining its existing 50% stake); Fox and Cablevision, however, retained joint ownership of Fox Sports Bay Area.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=February 23, 2005 |title=Cablevision Locks Up Garden |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/23/sports/basketball/23cablevision.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lazaroff |first=Leon |date=February 23, 2005 |title=News Corp. exits Chicago Fox sports station |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2005/02/23/news-corp-exits-chicago-fox-sports-station/ |access-date=April 9, 2015 |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> ===Affiliate realignments=== Fox Sports Chicago ceased operations in June 2006, after losing the regional cable television rights to local professional teams (including the [[Chicago Bulls]], [[Blackhawks]], [[Chicago Cubs|Cubs]] and [[White Sox]]) two years earlier to the newly launched [[Comcast SportsNet Chicago]].<ref>{{cite news|title=No need for FSN Chicago|url=http://www.daily-journal.com/entertainment/no-need-for-fsn-chicago/article_0379f62b-945c-5637-ad3d-ac70cfd9aa8d.html|newspaper=The Daily Journal|date=June 27, 2006|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref> On December 22, 2006, News Corporation sold its interest in four Fox Sports regional networks—[[FSN Utah]], [[FSN Pittsburgh]], [[FSN Northwest]] and [[FSN Rocky Mountain]]—as well as its 38.5% ownership stake in satellite provider [[DirecTV]] to Liberty Media for $550 million in cash and stock, in exchange for Liberty's 16.3% stake in News Corporation.<ref>{{cite news|title=News Corp. Reaches Deal with Liberty Media|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2006/12/22/news-corp-reaches-deal-with-liberty-media/?_r=0|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 22, 2006|access-date=April 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416162411/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2006/12/22/news-corp-reaches-deal-with-liberty-media/?_r=0|archive-date=April 16, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Liberty Media to Unite Assets With DirecTV|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/05/business/media/05directv.html|agency=[[Reuters]]|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 4, 2009|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref> On May 4, 2009, DirecTV Group Inc. announced it would become a part of Liberty's entertainment unit, with plans to [[corporate spin-off|spin off]] certain properties into a separate company under the DirecTV name, which would operate the four acquired FSN-affiliated networks through [[DirecTV Sports Networks]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=May 4, 2009 |title=DirecTV, Liberty Media Announce Spin-Off Plan |url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/satellite/directv-liberty-media-announce-spin-plan/301694 |access-date=April 16, 2015 |periodical=[[Multichannel News]]}}</ref> a new division formed on November 19, 2009, upon the spin-off's completion.<ref>{{cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Mike |date=November 20, 2009 |title=Liberty Sports Rebrands As DirecTV Sports Networks |url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/satellite/liberty-sports-rebrands-directv-sports-networks/301653 |access-date=April 16, 2015 |periodical=Multichannel News}}</ref> On April 30, 2007, Cablevision sold its 50% interests in the New England and Bay Area networks to Comcast for $570 million;<ref>{{cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=April 30, 2007 |title=Comcast sports new cable networks |url=https://variety.com/2007/scene/markets-festivals/comcast-sports-new-cable-networks-1117964028/ |access-date=April 18, 2015 |periodical=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> both networks became part of [[Comcast SportsNet]], with FSN New England relaunching as Comcast SportsNet New England in July 2007 and FSN Bay Area relaunching as Comcast SportsNet Bay Area March 2008. Despite Cablevision's sale of the networks, the channels continued to use "Fox Sports Net/National Sports Partners" in its copyright tag until 2008 (the copyright used has since changed to "National Sports Programming"). On April 1, 2011, DirecTV Sports Networks rebranded its FSN regional affiliates under the [[Root Sports]] brand.<ref name="bizjournals.com">{{cite news|title='Root Sports' new name for sports networks|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2010/12/17/root-sports-new-name-for-sports.html|newspaper=Denver Business Journal|publisher=[[American City Business Journals]]|date=December 17, 2010}}</ref> In 2012, News Corporation acquired a 49% stake in the [[YES Network]], the regional sports network in the [[New York metropolitan area]] co-owned by [[Yankee Global Enterprises]].<ref name="deadline-hollywood-2012">{{cite web|date=November 2012|title=News Corp. Acquires 49% of YES Network, Yankees|url=https://deadline.com/2012/11/news-corp-acquires-49-of-yes-network-yankees-375095/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> It was also in that year that FSN/Fox Sports Local relocated its headquarters from the Fox Studio Lot in [[Los Angeles]] to Houston, and then re-branded to its current branding. The FSN owned-and-operated networks were spun off along with most of News Corporation's U.S. entertainment properties into [[21st Century Fox]] on July 1, 2013. On January 25, 2014, 21st Century Fox then became the YES Networks' majority owner by purchasing an additional 31% share of it, increasing the company's ownership interest from 49% to 80%.<ref name="broadcastingcable2013">{{cite web|date=January 2014|title=21st Century Fox Acquires Majority Control of YES Network|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/21st-century-fox-acquires-majority-control-yes-network/128714|periodical=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]}}</ref> In September 2013, the network gained the affiliation for FSN's national programming (sharing it with [[MSG Plus]], the former FSN New York) === Sale to Sinclair Broadcast Group === On December 14, 2017, [[The Walt Disney Company]] announced its intention to [[Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney|acquire 21st Century Fox]] for $52.4 billion after the [[corporate spin-off|spin-off]] of certain businesses into a new entity ([[Fox Corporation]]). While the acquisition was originally slated to include Fox Sports' regional operations (which, presumably, would have been re-aligned with Disney's [[ESPN]] division),<ref>{{cite web |last=Munson |first=Ben |date=December 6, 2017 |title=Disney's pursuit of Fox RSNs could be big boost for ESPN |url=https://www.fiercecable.com/broadcasting/disney-s-pursuit-fox-s-rsns-could-be-big-boost-for-espn |access-date=December 12, 2017 |periodical=FierceCable}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/12/14/media/disney-fox/index.html|title=Disney buys 21st Century Fox: Who gets what|last=Goldman|first=David|date=2017-12-14|work=[[CNN Business|CNNMoney]]|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref> the [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]] ordered that they be divested within 90 days of the completion of the acquisition due to the concentration of the market that ESPN would hold.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/disney-21st-century-fox-justice-department-approval-1202859241/|title=Justice Department Approves Disney's Acquisition of 21st Century Fox With Divestiture of Regional Sports Networks|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=June 27, 2018|work=Variety|access-date=June 27, 2018}}</ref><ref name=cnbc>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/27/us-set-to-give-antitrust-approval-for-disney-fox-deal.html|title=US gives Disney-Fox deal antitrust approval|work=CNBC|date=June 27, 2018|access-date=June 27, 2018}}</ref> [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] was mentioned as the most likely buyer for the other FSN networks, but would need the assistance of a [[private equity firm]] to help raise the cash needed for the purchase.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilen |first=Holden |title= Sinclair Broadcast CEO eyes deal for Fox's regional sports networks |url= https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2018/10/03/sinclair-broadcast-ceo-eyes-deal-for-foxs-regional.html |work=Baltimore Business Journal |publisher= American Business Journals |date=Oct 3, 2018 |access-date=2018-11-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.insideradio.com/free/sinclair-considers-private-equity-to-purchase-fox-sports-networks/article_a2b9bef0-c6ca-11e8-9021-2b66a86fb753.html |title=Sinclair Considers Private Equity to Purchase Fox Sports Networks |publisher= insideradio.com |date=2018-10-03 |access-date=2018-11-12}}</ref> The group's other sports properties include [[Stadium (sports network)|Stadium]]—a national sports network distributed via over-the-air digital television and internet streaming, [[Tennis Channel]], as well as [[Marquee Sports Network]], a joint venture with the [[Chicago Cubs]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-marquee-tv-channel-debut-sinclair-what-to-know-20190213-story.html|title=The Cubs are starting a new TV channel in 2020. Here's what that means for fans.|last=Rosenthal|first=Phil|website=chicagotribune.com|date=February 13, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-14}}</ref> Over 40 parties were reported to have expressed interest, including [[Silver Lake Partners]] and [[William Morris Endeavor]] in a joint deal, [[Charter Communications]], [[Discovery, Inc.|Discovery]] (who operates the [[Eurosport]] networks in Europe),<ref>{{cite news |last=James |first=Meg |date=2018-11-08 |title=Auction of Fox's regional sports networks draws interest from Amazon and maybe LeBron James |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-disney-fox-regional-sports-20181109-story.html |access-date=2018-11-12 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]], [[Apollo Global Management]], [[The Blackstone Group]], [[CVC Capital Partners]], [[Ice Cube]] and [[LL Cool J]], [[Kohlberg Kravis Roberts|KKR]], [[Nexstar Media Group]], [[Providence Equity Partners]] and [[YouTube]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-11/fight-for-fox-local-sports-channels-could-shake-up-broadcasting|title=Fight for Fox Local Sports Channels Could Shake Up Broadcasting|last1=Smith|first1=Gerry|last2=Ahmed|first2=Nablia|work=Bloomberg L.P.|date=August 11, 2018|access-date=October 14, 2018}}</ref> Due to a clause imposed on the original sale,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-14/yankees-are-said-to-want-yes-network-back-if-fox-sells-assets|title=Yankees Consider Buying Back YES If Fox Sells Assets|last=Soshnick|first=Scott|work=Bloomberg L.P.|date=June 14, 2018|access-date=June 15, 2018}}</ref> [[Yankee Global Enterprises]] had a right of first refusal to purchase Fox's share in [[YES Network]]. [[Allen & Company]] and [[JPMorgan Chase]], who were handling the FSN sale for Disney, asked that all bids include YES in their offers.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/sports-channels-draw-interest-from-private-equity-new-fox-and-ice-cube-1540891800|title=Sports Channels Draw Interest From Private Equity, 'New Fox' and Ice Cube|first1=Joe|last1=Flint|first2=Andrew|last2=Beaton|first3=Miriam|last3=Gottfried|date=October 30, 2018|access-date=March 20, 2019|work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> Fox did not bid for the channels in the first round. On November 20, 2018, Amazon, Sinclair and CVC jointly,<ref>{{cite news |title=Apollo finds TV station partner for Tribune Media bid |url=https://www.nasdaq.com/article/apollo-finds-tv-station-partner-for-tribune-media-bid-20181128-01110 |access-date=December 12, 2018 |work=NASDAQ.com |agency=Reuters |date=November 28, 2018 |language=en-us}}</ref> Apollo, KKR and [[Tegna Inc.|Tegna]] officially bid for the network.<ref>{{cite web|last=Faber|first=David|title=Amazon bids for Disney's 22 regional sports channels, including YES Network, sources say|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/20/amazon-bids-for-disneys-22-regional-sports-networks-including-yes-network-sources-say.html|access-date=November 20, 2018|work=CNBC|date=November 20, 2018}}</ref> It was also reported that a Sinclair/CVC joint venture was the leading bidder.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sinclair Broadcasting seeks redemption in its bid for Fox's regional sports networks |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/sinclair-broadcasting-seeks-redemption-in-its-bid-for-foxs-regional-sports-networks |work=Fox Business Network |access-date=December 12, 2018 |date=December 11, 2018}}</ref><ref>[https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2018/12/11/disney-looking-to-sell-fox-regional-sports.html Disney looking to sell Fox regional sports networks piecemeal]</ref> In December 2018, it was reported that due to the low bids, there was the possibility that the networks could be sold individually instead of as a single group, and that the banks were in talks with those who made partial bids, such as Amazon (who only bid for the YES Network) and Charter (who only bid for Fox Sports South). [[Minnesota Twins]] owner [[Jim Pohlad]] was reportedly interested in his team's broadcaster Fox Sports North.<ref>{{cite news |title=Disney plans to split up Fox's local sports networks to sell |url=https://nypost.com/2018/12/10/disney-plans-to-split-up-foxs-local-sports-networks-to-sell/ |work=New York Post |access-date=December 12, 2018 |date=December 10, 2018}}</ref> Discovery CEO [[David Zaslav]] stated that the company had considered a bid, but that regional sports networks were a "very treacherous market".<ref name="aa-fortheculture"/> In a January 2019 SEC filing, Fox Corporation stated that it no longer had any plans to bid for the channels.<ref>{{cite news|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|title=Fox Confirms It Won't Bid on Disney's Regional Sports Networks|url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/fox-disney-regional-sports-networks-bid-1203105421/|work=Variety|date=January 11, 2019|access-date=January 11, 2019}}</ref> On January 11, 2019 [[CNBC]] reported that Apollo, Blackstone, CVC and other bidders except Sinclair backed out of the deal for the networks with the sole bidder being the Sinclair/CVC joint venture.<ref>{{cite web|last=Faber|first=David|title=Faber Report: Fox says it will not bid for regional sports networks|url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/01/11/faber-report-fox-bid-regional-sports-networks.html|access-date=January 12, 2019|work=CNBC|date=January 12, 2019}}</ref> It was also reported that the possibility of spinning out the channels as an independent company was also being considered.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kosman |first1=Josh |last2=Morgan |first2=Richard |title=DOJ may allow Disney to spin off Fox's regional sports networks |url=https://nypost.com/2019/01/14/doj-may-allow-disney-to-spin-off-of-foxs-regional-sports-networks/ |access-date=January 18, 2019 |work=New York Post |date=January 15, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Palmeri |first1=Christopher |last2=Ahmed |first2=Nabila |last3=Soshnick |first3=Scott |title=Disney Seeks Deals for Sports Networks by Late February |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-15/disney-said-to-seek-deals-for-sports-networks-by-late-february |access-date=January 18, 2019 |work=Bloomberg.com |date=January 15, 2019}}</ref> In February 2019, it was reported that Apollo and Sinclair had dropped out (but with the former seeking a new partner), but that Liberty Media and [[Major League Baseball]] had made offers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/05/liberty-media-joins-bidding-for-regional-sports-networks-.html|title=Liberty Media joins bidding for regional sports networks|last=Faber|first=David|date=2019-02-05|website=cnbc.com|access-date=2019-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.myajc.com/sports/leadoff-sizing-braves-owner-interest-buying-fox-sports-south/jgat6BbJJaJujfWx17GvPK/|title=Leadoff: Sizing up Braves owner's interest in buying Fox Sports South|last=Tucker|first=Tim|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|access-date=2019-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://seekingalpha.com/news/3429591-cnbc-liberty-media-jumps-bidding-fox-sports-nets|title=CNBC: Liberty Media jumps into bidding for Fox sports nets|last=Aycock|first=Jason|date=2019-02-05|work=Seeking Alpha|access-date=2019-03-02|language=en-US}}</ref> Later that month, it was reported that Pohlad and Detroit Pistons owner [[Tom Gores]] (via his private equity firm [[Platinum Equity]]) had joined the Liberty Media bid.<ref>{{cite web|first=Bill|last=Shea|url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/media/tom-gores-platinum-equity-reportedly-part-bid-buy-fox-sports-detroit-and-sister-networks|title=Tom Gores' Platinum Equity reportedly part of bid to buy Fox Sports Detroit and sister networks|date=2019-02-22|website=Crain's Detroit Business|language=en|access-date=2019-03-21}}</ref> On March 8, 2019, it was reported that the Yankees had reached a deal to re-purchase Fox's share in the YES Network for $3.5 billion, with Sinclair, Amazon and [[The Blackstone Group]] holding minority shares. MLB also confirmed a $10 billion bid, seeking to use them to bolster the income of its small-market teams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/yankees-buy-back-yes-network-from-disney-in-3-5b-deal|title=Yankees buy back YES network from Disney in $3.5B deal |last=Gasparino |first=Charlie|date=2019-03-08 |website=Fox News |language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/yes-network-sold-for-3-5b-to-yankees-amazon-sinclair-private-equity-reports-1202572010/|title=YES Network Sold For $3.5B To Yankees, Amazon, Sinclair, Private Equity: Reports|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=2019-03-08|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=2019-04-01}}</ref> It was also reported that month that [[Ice Cube]] and [[LL Cool J]] (via Ice Cube's 3-on-3 basketball league [[Big3]]—which had Fox as its initial broadcast partner) were also preparing a bid of around $15 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crainscleveland.com/kevin-kleps-blog/ice-cube-appears-be-serious-suitor-group-regional-sports-networks-includes-fso-and|title=Ice Cube appears to be serious suitor for group of regional sports networks that includes FSO and STO|date=2019-03-06|website=Crain's Cleveland Business|language=en|access-date=2019-04-01}}</ref> Big3 stated that it wanted to expand the channels to include programming covering "broader cultural and political topics" of local interest alongside sports. In April 2019, Big3 filed a complaint with the Department of Justice and FCC, accusing Charter Communications of attempting to "undermine" its bid by threatening to not carry the channels if it won the auction. Liberty Media owner [[John C. Malone|John Malone]] has an ownership stake in Charter; the company denied Big3's allegations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2019/04/11/big3-league-accuses-charter-of-manipulating-disney-auction/|title=Big3 league accuses Charter of manipulating Disney auction|last=Morgan|first=Richard|date=2019-04-11|website=New York Post|language=en|access-date=2019-04-11}}</ref> The final round of bids were due on April 15, 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/fox-regional-sports-network-sale-nears-conclusion-as-final-round-bids-come-due-april-15|title=Fox Regional Sports Network sale nears conclusion as final round bids come due April 15|last=Gasparino|first=Charlie|date=2019-03-25|website=Fox Business|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-01}}</ref> with bids having been in excess of $10 billion or higher. Liberty and MLB were reported to have partnered on a joint bid, Big3's bid contained $6.5 billion in debt and only $3 billion in outside funding, while Sinclair had re-entered contention in a joint bid with Apollo.<ref name="aa-fortheculture">{{Cite web|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/local-networks/final-fox-rsn-bids-liberty-mlb-sinclair-big3.html|title=Final Fox RSN bids see Liberty and MLB team up, Sinclair back in the game, and the BIG3 still bidding "for the culture"|date=2019-04-16|website=Awful Announcing|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-16}}</ref> On April 26 and May 2, respectively, [[Fox Business Network]] and ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported that Sinclair was nearing an agreement to purchase the networks for $10 billion.<ref name="Gasparino">{{cite web |last1=Gasparino |first1=Charlie |title=EXCLUSIVE: Sinclair places top bid, reaches "handshake agreement" with Disney for Fox Regional Sports Networks |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/sinclair-top-bid-handshake-fox-regional-sports-networks |website=[[Fox Business Network]] |access-date=April 30, 2019 |date=April 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/disney-fox-rsns-sinclair-1203203930/|title=Disney Nears $10 Billion Sale of Fox Sports Networks to Sinclair|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=2019-05-02|work=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref> On May 3, Sinclair officially announced that via its subsidiary Diamond Sports Group, it had agreed to purchase the networks for $10.6 billion, pending regulatory approval. At the same time, it was also revealed that [[Allen Media Group]] would hold an equity stake in the company and serve as a "content partner".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/sinclair-disney-regional-sports-network-deal-1203204685/|title=Sinclair Clinches Disney-Regional Sports Networks Deal, Byron Allen Joins as Partner|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-05-05|date=May 3, 2019}}</ref> Three senators ([[Cory Booker]], [[Bernie Sanders]] and [[Elizabeth Warren]]) called for the sale to be reviewed by the Department of Justice, citing concerns over Sinclair's [[Sinclair Broadcast Group#Political views|political views]], and that it could use the networks as leverage for carriage agreements for its broadcast television stations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/450189-warren-sanders-booker-urge-review-of-sinclair-106b-acquisition-of-regional|title=Warren, Sanders, Booker urge review of Sinclair $10.6B acquisition of regional sports networks|last=Balluck|first=Kyle|date=2019-06-25|website=TheHill|language=en|access-date=2019-06-29}}</ref> The sale was completed on August 22, 2019. The networks would continue to temporarily use the "Fox Sports" branding under a transitional license agreement with Fox Corporation; Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley stated that there were plans to eventually rebrand them under either a new name, or to "partner with a brand who wants more exposure". There were also plans to increase non-event programming, and emphasis on [[sports betting]] in its programming.<ref name="bizjournals">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2019/08/26/sinclair-ceo-see-massive-opportunity-with.html|title=Sinclair CEO see 'massive opportunity' with rebranding of Fox sports networks|website=Baltimore Business Journal|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref> In November 2019, the ''[[Sun-Sentinel]]'' reported that Fox Sports Florida was to be rebranded "within the next few months".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/florida-panthers/fl-sp-panthers-media-notes-20191106-3r7tnkogindcjedw24z5mdbpku-story.html|title=Heat and Panthers TV ratings soar amid hot starts; Marlins online viewership increases|last=Dusenbury|first=Wells|website=sun-sentinel.com|date=November 5, 2019 |access-date=2019-11-29}}</ref> Due to [[carriage dispute]]s, [[Dish Network]] and [[Sling TV]] dropped Fox Sports Networks in July 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=2019-07-26 |title=Fox Regional Sports Nets Go Dark on Dish |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/fox-regional-sports-nets-dark-dish-1203281096/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> [[FuboTV]] dropped the channels in January 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carp |first=Sam |date=2020-01-02 |title=Sinclair’s Fox RSNs dropped by FuboTV |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/sinclair-fox-rsns-fubotv-nba-mlb-nhl/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=SportsPro |language=en-GB}}</ref> and [[YouTube TV]] and [[Hulu + Live TV]] followed in October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2020-02-27 |title=YouTube TV Is Dropping Fox Regional Sports Nets, YES Network After Sinclair Standoff |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/youtube-tv-dropping-sinclair-fox-rsn-yes-network-1203518191/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/media/2020/10/22/hulu-sinclair-rsns-fox-sports-yes/3728659001/|title=Hulu drops Sinclair Broadcast Group's Fox Sports Regional Networks, including YES|last=Bumbaca|first=Chris|website=[[USA Today]]|access-date=2020-10-24}}</ref> On November 4, 2020, Sinclair took a $4.23 billion write-down on the FSN purchase.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sinclair Posts Higher Political Ad Revenue, Takes $4.2B Local Sports Charge|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sinclair-posts-higher-political-ad-revenue-takes-local-sports-charge|access-date=2020-11-19|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 4, 2020}}</ref> ==== Rebranding as Bally Sports ==== {{main|Bally Sports}} On November 17, 2020, it was reported by ''[[Sportico]]'' that Sinclair was considering rebranding the networks via a [[naming rights]] agreement, and was reportedly in talks with multiple companies involved in sports betting.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Novy-Williams |first=Eben |last2=Feldman |first2=Jacob |date=2020-11-17 |title=Sinclair Exploring Sale of RSN Naming Rights to Betting Companies |url=https://www.sportico.com/business/media/2020/sinclair-naming-rights-rsn-networks-1234616750 |access-date=2020-11-19 |website=[[Sportico]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The next day, Sinclair announced that it had entered into an agreement with casino operator [[Bally's Corporation]] to acquire the naming rights under a 10-year deal. The agreement included integration of Bally's content on the channels and other Sinclair properties (including its television stations, Stadium, and Tennis Channel), and a [[Warrant (finance)|warrant]] giving Sinclair the option to acquire a 14.9% stake in Bally's Corporation, and up to 24.9% if performance criteria are met.<ref name="ballysdeal">{{Cite web|last=Novy-Williams|first=Eben|date=2020-11-19|title=Bally's Buys Sinclair RSN Naming Rights As Part of Sports Betting Push|url=https://www.sportico.com/business/sports-betting/2020/ballys-sinclair-naming-rights-1234616912/|access-date=2020-11-19|website=Sportico.com|language=en-US}}</ref> Sinclair announced in December 2020 that it planned to launch its own [[direct-to-consumer]] Bally's-branded streaming service, including live streaming of its linear sports networks, in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moraine |first1=Julie |title=Sinclair Offers Direct-To-Consumer Sports Streaming Service |url=https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/sinclair-offers-direct-to-consumer-sports-streaming-service/ |publisher=Gambling News |date=December 2, 2021}}</ref> On January 27, 2021, Sinclair announced that the networks would be rebranded as '''Bally Sports''' with [[Fox Sports Carolinas]] and [[Fox Sports Tennessee]] discontinued and their sports programming dispersed to the Bally Sports South and Southeast channels. To better reflect their target markets, Prime Ticket and SportsTime Ohio were rebranded as Bally Sports SoCal and Bally Sports Great Lakes, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Balderston|first=Michael|date=2021-01-27|title=Sinclair, Bally Reveal Bally Sports Rebrand for RSNs|url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/sinclair-bally-reveal-bally-sports-rebrand|access-date=2021-01-28|website=TVTechnology|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-19|title=Farewell, Fox Sports West. Hello, Bally Sports|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-11-18/fox-sports-west-bally-sports-prime-ticket|access-date=2021-01-28|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2021, Sinclair revealed that the relaunch would occur on March 31, the eve of Major League Baseball's [[Opening Day]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-18|title=Fox Sports regional networks will become Bally Sports|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2021/03/fox-sports-regional-networks-will-become-bally-sports-on-march-31.html|access-date=2021-03-27|website=al|language=en}}</ref>
Edit summary
(Briefly describe your changes)
By publishing changes, you agree to the
Terms of Use
, and you irrevocably agree to release your contribution under the
CC BY-SA 4.0 License
and the
GFDL
. You agree that a hyperlink or URL is sufficient attribution under the Creative Commons license.
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)