AT&T is looking to sell its regional sports networks. Also: the Yankees’ TV and radio voices will both miss time; ESPN is bumping two more shows to ESPN2 on NFL Mondays; ESPN has reached an agreement to carry NWSL soccer.
AT&T looking to sell RSNs
AT&T is exploring a possible sale of its regional sports networks, a move that would help cut upwards of $8 billion in debut, Bloomberg reported Monday. The company owns three RSNs (AT&T SportsNet Houston, Pittsburgh and Denver) and a minority stake in a fourth (Root Sports Northwest).
According to Sports Business Daily, AT&T has been looking to exit the RSN business for “many months.”
Sinclair Broadcasting, owner of Stadium, Tennis Channel, and a right-wing local news operation, is said to be a contender to acquire the RSNs. The AT&T networks would be just the latest addition to Sinclair’s growing RSN portfolio. It reached a deal earlier this year to acquire the 21 Fox Sports RSNs divested by Disney (pending government approval), and also owns a minority stake in the Cubs’ soon-to-launch RSN Marquee Sports Network. [Bloomberg 7.2; Sports Business Daily 7.3]
Yankees’ Kay, Sterling, missing time
YES Network Yankees play-by-play voice Michael Kay will miss the next month due to vocal cord surgery, he announced on his Twitter account Wednesday. Kay’s absence, which began with Wednesday’s Yankees-Mets game, coincides with the end of Yankees radio voice John Sterling‘s 30-year streak of consecutive games.
Sterling is skipping the Yankees’ series against the Rays, which began Thursday, due to fatigue. While he stressed this week that he is not ill, Sterling did say he is feeling “a little under the weather.” [NYP 7.3; NYT 7.4]
ESPN to bump two more shows to ESPN2 on NFL Mondays
ESPN will move “High Noon” and “Highly Questionable” to ESPN2 on Mondays during the NFL season, The Big Lead reported this week. The shows will be replaced by a one-hour SportsCenter. ESPN already preempts much of its daytime lineup on NFL Mondays, with “The Jump” and the 6 PM ET SportsCenter bumped to ESPN2 in favor of NFL Primetime and Monday Night Countdown, respectively. [The Big Lead 7.1]
ESPN2, ESPNEWS, to carry NWSL matches
ESPN announced Thursday that it has reached agreement with the NWSL to carry 14 matches on ESPN2 and ESPNEWS during the remaining portion of the season. Coverage will begin July 14, one week after the Women’s World Cup Final. ESPNEWS will air eight matches and ESPN2 six, with the latter including both semifinals on October 20 and the championship on October 27. [ESPN PR 7.4]
