The Diamondbacks on Tuesday became the second MLB team to leave Bally Sports. Plus: a Pac-12 media rights update; news on a possible direction for ESPN’s lead NBA broadcast team; and more.
MLB takes over Diamondbacks rights
Major League Baseball took over media rights of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday after Diamond Sports Group — operator of the Bally Sports RSNs — successfully petitioned a bankruptcy judge to be let out of its contract with the team. The Diamondbacks are the third “Big Four” sports team to leave Diamond Sports Group since the organization filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, joining the Padres and NBA Phoenix Suns.
MLB will distribute Diamondbacks games in-market through MLB.tv and through cable, satellite and streaming providers. The first week of games will also be available to stream for free through the official team and league websites and the MLB app.
Pac-12 rights deal not imminent, but in “near future”
The Pac-12 will not announce a new media rights deal this week at its scheduled media day, but a deal is expected in the “near future,” according to multiple reports Tuesday. ESPN and The Athletic both cited a source as saying that the length of the Pac-12 negotiations will result in better deals than the conference would have struck otherwise.
ESPN said to be eyeing Rivers, Burke, for lead NBA team
There is a “good chance” that ESPN add Doc Rivers and Doris Burke to its lead NBA broadcast team alongside Mike Breen, Boston Globe reporter Chad Finn said Monday. Rivers and Burke were previously mentioned as contenders for the lead team by the New York Post last month, as well as Richard Jefferson and J.J. Redick. ESPN laid off lead NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy last month.
ESPN’s Passan recovering from broken back
ESPN MLB reporter Jeff Passan said Monday that he is recovering from a broken back suffered when a tree struck him during storm cleanup outside of his Kansas City home. Passan said he did not suffer any loss of function in his arms or legs and hinted that he will continue reporting as the baseball trade deadline approaches.
