Major League Baseball has bid on the Fox RSNs being sold to Disney; ESPN has begun negotiations on a new MLB rights deal; the new Alliance of American Football has a pair of new media deals.
MLB reportedly a bidder for Fox RSNs
Major League Baseball has submitted a bid for the Fox-owned regional sports being sold to and divested by Disney, Bloomberg reported Thursday. Fox Business first reported MLB’s intention to bid.
MLB was one of three companies to make an offer for the 21 available networks during the second round of bidding, joining Sinclair Broadcasting — operator of Stadium, Tennis Channel, and a slew of right-wing local news outlets — and private equity firm Apollo Global. According to Bloomberg, MLB is seeking a partner for its bid, which is considered a “long shot.”
Per the same report, the bids may be close to the $10 billion mark, half of the networks’ estimated worth. Disney has the option to spin off the networks, but is reportedly “committed” to selling them.
YES Network is not part of the bidding. As first reported by Bloomberg in November, the Yankees have chosen to buy back the 80 percent stake in the network that they sold to Fox in 2014. [Bloomberg 1.31, 11.12; Fox Business 1.30]
ESPN, MLB, in talks on new deal
ESPN and Major League Baseball have begun negotiations on a media rights extension, Forbes reported Wednesday. The news comes just over two months after MLB and Fox announced an eight-year extension that takes effect in 2022.
ESPN is MLB’s longest-tenured national rights partner, having broadcast games since 1990. [Forbes 1.30]
Turner, NFLN, to carry new “Alliance” league
The Alliance of American Football has reached multi-year media rights deals with Turner Sports and NFL Network, Sports Business Daily reported Thursday. The Turner deal was formally announced Thursday. It includes two games per year on TNT and one game per week on Turner’s B/R Live over-the-top service.
The NFL Network deal, which has not been formally announced, is expected to include two games per week. [Sports Business Daily 1.31; Turner Sports PR]
