The government could give Disney a way out in its sale of Fox Sports RSNs. Also: Max Kellerman‘s new boxing show will debut next month; the NBA All-Star Game draft will air on TNT; NBC has added the first and last events of the LPGA season.
DOJ Could Let Disney Spin Off Fox RSNs
The U.S. justice department could allow Disney to spin off, rather than sell, the 22 regional sports networks it is acquiring from Fox Sports, the New York Post reported earlier this week. Under such an arrangement, Disney would have to relinquish operational control of the networks, which have thus far attracted lukewarm interest on the open market. [NYP 1.14 via Sports Business Daily 1.15]
Kellerman Boxing Show Debuts Feb. 8
ESPN announced Thursday that it will debut a new, weekly boxing show hosted by Max Kellerman next month. The as-yet-untitled show will air Fridays at 5 PM ET on ESPN2 starting February 8. It is part of Kellerman’s contract extension with ESPN, which also includes a broader role on the network’s boxing coverage. [ESPN PR 1.17]
NBA All-Star Draft Airing on TNT Feb. 7
TNT will televise the NBA All-Star Game player draft prior to its NBA pregame show February 7, it was announced Thursday. The NBA adopted the draft format for last year’s All-Star Game, but the draft itself was not televised. This year’s change of heart was first reported last November by The New York Times. [NBA.com 1.17; NYT 11.7]
NBC to Bookend LPGA Tour Season
The NBC broadcast network has picked up the first and last LPGA Tour events of the season, bringing the number of events on the network to four. The season finale — the Tour Championship in November — had previously aired on ABC. [NBC Sports PR 1.16]
