The Yankees are nearing a contract deadline with Comcast; the Cleveland Guardians TV options come down to the wire; NBA discussing a new league in Europe, and more.
Yankees Comcast future unclear after extension
YES Network and Comcast have reached a four-day extension to carry the channel through March 31, but are said to be far part on key points of a new long-term distribution deal, according to Front Office Sports. Before the extension, the dispute could have resulted in the Yankees game on Saturday being blacked out for Xfinity customers (New York’s Opening Day game was exclusive to ESPN). That deadline has now been pushed to Tuesday’s series opener against the Diamondbacks. Xfinity does not serve New York City directly, but does serve markets within Yankee territory in Connecticut and New Jersey.
While further short-term extensions are possible, the two sides remain apart because of Comcast’s desire to move the network into its higher-tier cable packages, a move that the distributor has already completed with many other RSNs. Comcast’s ongoing dispute with MSG Network has resulted in Knicks and Rangers games being unavailable to subscribers as far back as 2021. The dispute with YES Network has even attracted attention from politicians, with New York governor Kathy Hochul saying she is “prepared to take further action if this is not resolved.”
(This story has been updated from a previous version before the extension was reached.)
Guardians solve cable crisis hours before Opening Day
The Cleveland Guardians have reached cable distribution deals with AT&T U-verse, Cox, DIRECTV, Fubo, Spectrum and more to distribute games locally to fans, it was announced Thursday, just hours to go before first pitch on Opening Day. Thursday’s game at Kansas City and the rest of the season will be available on those cable platforms, as well as a new direct-to-consumer streaming option through MLB.TV.
The Guardians, whose contract with Bally Sports Ohio (now FanDuel Sports Network Ohio) was dropped as part of Diamond Sports Group’s bankruptcy proceedings, have elected to have MLB produce the games, the same way the Twins, Rockies, Padres, and Diamondbacks will do. Until Thursday’s announcement, DTC streaming, was to be the only option for fans to watch the game.
NBA to discuss European league
The NBA’s Board of Governors will discuss this week a plan to launch a pro basketball league in Europe, with 8-10 new franchises launched across the continent, according to Sportico. Competition would feature the a handful of existing EuroLeague teams competing against the new NBA teams. The new franchises would be sold to outside investors for at least $500 million, with the league retaining 50% of the equity. No vote on the proposal is scheduled for this week.
The news comes a few months after Bloomberg reported LeBron James’ business partner Maverick Carter was seeking investment partners for a new global basketball league to “rival the NBA”.
Plus: Par 3 Contest, Breeders’ Cup, US Open
— ESPN announced Wednesday that PGA Tour members Wyndham Clark and Max Homa will join the network’s commentary booth for coverage of the Masters Par 3 Contest on Wednesday, April 9. The two will work at separate times with Scott Van Pelt, who appears to be replacing Sean McDonough, who has traditionally called the event. The event will also stream on Disney+ for the first time.
— CBS Sports announced Wednesday it has secured exclusive English-language television rights to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the nation’s largest open-field club soccer tournament. Paramount+ will stream every match beginning with the Third Round (MLS teams enter the bracket in the Fourth Round), with CBS Sports Network and the FAST Golazo Network simulcasting select matches. Coverage had previously aired on Apple TV+, TNT Sports, and ESPN.
— NBC Sports announced Wednesday it has extended its partnership with the Breeders’ Cup. Coverage of the season-ending thoroughbred racing event will continue to air on NBC, USA Network, and Peacock under the new deal, which extends NBC’s relationship with the event to 41 years.
