Recent sports media news, including an update on the NHL media rights race, new names for the Fox-branded RSNs, and more.
NBC could still keep whole NHL package
NBC, ESPN and Fox Sports remain leading contenders to acquire the NHL’s media rights, according to Front Office Sports. While the NHL has long been said to prefer splitting its rights among multiple partners, incumbent NBC retaining the whole package has not been completely ruled out.
Should NBC end up splitting rights with Fox, the NHL would be in the rare position of having games on multiple broadcast networks. Per the report, Fox would air games both on “big FOX” and FS1, though it would prioritize the latter. [Front Office Sports 1.28]
Sinclair RSNs get new names
The Sinclair-owned, Fox-branded regional sports networks — whose naming rights Sinclair sold to the Bally’s casino chain last year — were officially given new names on Wednesday. In most cases, the RSNs will simply swap the “Fox” name for “Bally” (i.e. Fox Sports Detroit will become Bally Sports Detroit). Two exceptions are Fox Sports Prime Ticket (which will become Bally Sports SoCal) and Sports Time Ohio (which will become Bally Sports Great Lakes).
In addition to the new names, Sinclair announced Wednesday that it is discontinuing Fox Sports Carolinas and Fox Sports Tennessee, shifting those networks’ properties to Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast. [Sinclair PR 1.27]
Plus: Aussie Open, UFC on ABC, iRacing
ESPN plans to have its Australian Open broadcasters call the event remotely, per Sports Business Daily. Cliff Drysdale, who has reached a one-year deal to remain with ESPN, is scheduled to work from his home. … Sports Business Daily reported Monday that ESPN executives are looking to schedule additional UFC events for ABC. The network’s UFC debut two weeks ago delivered the series’ largest linear TV audience in two years. … NASCAR iRacing is scheduled to return this season with ten midweek races. The first five races would air on FS1 starting March 14, with the second half of the schedule on the NBC family of networks at an undetermined date. [SBD 1.25, 1.28; NASCAR 1.26]
