The Bally Sports RSNs are expected to continue producing and airing games after they go into an expected bankruptcy next week. Plus: ESPN is shaking up its Monday Night Football and college football production staff; Dick Vitale turned down a chance to call March Madness for CBS and Turner.
Bally RSNs expected to continue operating post-bankruptcy
Diamond Sports Group — which operates the Sinclair-owned Bally Sports RSNs — is expected to file for bankruptcy as soon as this coming Thursday, Sports Business Journal reported Friday. For most of the teams in business with Bally Sports, the bankruptcy is not expected to disrupt the production or broadcasting of games or the payment of rights fees.
A notable exception is the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have yet to receive their rights fee for this month. DSG — which characterized the lack of payment as it exercising a “contractual grace period” to achieve maximum “flexibility” — has until Thursday to pay or risk potentially losing the rights to MLB. Per the report, the Diamondbacks’ deal with Bally Sports is considered “extremely favorable” to the team. Other teams with similarly favorable deals include the Padres, Guardians and Reds. (SBJ 3.10)
ESPN shakes up NFL, college football, production teams
ESPN announced Friday that Monday Night Football producer Phil Dean and director Jimmy Platt will shift to college football coverage this season after three and four years respectively on MNF. The network has gone to its college football ranks for replacements, tapping coordinating producer Steve Ackels and lead director Derek Mobley for the roles. (ESPN PR)
Vitale information for your everyday life
ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale told Sports Illustrated this week that he was invited to join CBS and Turner Sports’ coverage of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament — and was given the blessing to do so by ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro — but turned the opportunity down out of loyalty to his employer. Vitale had previously been invited to join tournament coverage several years ago but ESPN was not willing to greenlight the move at the time. (SI.com 3.9)
