Talks have resumed on a possible 21st Century Fox-Disney sale, with sports now a part of those conversations.
Fox is nearing a deal to sell Disney a package of assets that now includes its regional sports networks, CNBC reported Tuesday. When talks between the companies first reported last month, 21st Century Fox’s sports properties were not mentioned as part of a potential deal.
The RSNs would be the only sports component of the deal, which would also include 21st Century Fox’s movie studios, national entertainment networks, and stakes in Hulu and the UK-based Sky Channel. The FOX broadcast network and FS1 would not change hands.
Fox owns 22 regional sports networks, including a majority stake in YES Network in New York, and has rights to teams with large local fanbases — including the Yankees, Cleveland Cavaliers and St. Louis Cardinals.
While Disney owns the Longhorn Network, SEC Network and soon-to-come ACC Network, it has not previously operated a traditional RSN with rights to major league teams.
21st Centry Fox has also engaged in talks with Comcast, which according to CNBC are not as far along as discussions with Disney. It was not immediately clear whether the RSNs were part of discussions with Comcast.
[News from CNBC 12.5]
