Diamond Sports and Amazon are in talks for an MLB streaming deal despite opposition from the league. Plus: the Superstar Racing Experience has postponed its season; and more.
Diamond Sports, Amazon, discussing MLB streaming deal
Diamond Sports (operator of the Bally Sports RSNs) is in negotiations to sell its Major League Baseball streaming rights to Amazon, but has had to scale back its original plans due to opposition from MLB, the New York Post reported this week. Amazon originally offered to invest $150 million into Diamond in exchange for multi-year streaming rights to all 11 MLB teams carried by Bally Sports, but Diamond only owns streaming rights to five (the Brewers, Marlins, Rays, Royals and Tigers). The sides are now in talks concerning just those teams.
Diamond had pitched MLB on acquiring long-term streaming rights to all 11 and then selling those to Amazon, but was rebuffed as the league wants to sell those rights itself. To that end, MLB is offering Diamond reduced rights fees for three teams if the company agrees to relinquish its streaming rights after this season, a move that would have the added benefit of resolving the sides’ stalemate over which teams will air on Bally Sports this season. (Diamond has indicated that it will only carry certain teams — believed to be the Guardians, Rangers and Twins — at a reduced rate.)
It should be noted that Diamond has agreed to relinquish all of its NBA and NHL rights after the current season as part of a “cooperation agreement” struck with its creditors last year. It has no such deal with MLB as of yet, though the sides were said to have reached a framework agreement last month. (NYP 1.8, 1.11, The Athletic 1.9)
Superstar Racing Experience postpones season
The Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) announced Thursday that it has postponed its coming season, citing “market factors that have proven too much to overcome.” The six-week summer series, which debuted in 2021, was entering its fourth season. Despite the postponement, the SRX said Thursday that it is “actively exploring” its options to reach its “long-term potential.”
The SRX is the second upstart sports property to call off plans in 2024, joining the Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy backed TGL golf league. Both properties were to air on ESPN. In a statement Thursday, ESPN indicated that it will not continue to carry the series if and when it returns: “We enjoyed our relationship with SRX and wish them all the best.” (SRX)
Plus: Kyrgios, Krieger, NBA In-Season Tournament
— Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios is joining ESPN for its coverage of the Australian Open, it was announced this week. Kyrgios previously served as a guest analyst for Tennis Channel’s coverage of the ATP Finals in November. (ESPN PR)
— CBS Sports announced this week that it has hired former United States women’s soccer player Ali Krieger as a studio analyst. Krieger, who made her debut Thursday, will make regular appearances on the 24-hour Golazo Network and serve as analyst for next month’s Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup. (CBS Sports PR)
— NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday that the league’s In-Season Tournament will “no doubt” return next season with “just a couple” of tweaks, but that there may be more significant changes to the event down the line, including the time of year it takes place. (AP via ESPN.com 1.11)
