The Phoenix Suns and Mercury have announced their intentions to abandon the RSN model and move to over-the-air affiliates. Plus: the CFP has set dates for its inaugural 12-team playoff next year; plus, more sports media news.
Suns, Mercury, announce move from RSNs to over-the-air affiliates
The Phoenix Suns and Mercury announced Friday that they have reached a deal with station owner Gray Television to distribute their local broadcasts through over-the-air stations in Phoenix and surrounding markets, replacing their current deals with Bally Sports. Soon after the announcement, Bally Sports parent company Diamond Sports Group accused the teams of breach of contract and violation of bankruptcy law, which as noted by Reuters “protects debtors from having their contracts modified or terminated without their consent.” Diamond filed for bankruptcy last month.
The CEO of the Suns and Mercury said Diamond is “inaccurate” and that the teams are “moving forward with this deal.”
Under the deal, Suns and Mercury games would air on Gray-owned independent affiliates KTVK and KPHE, but not Gray’s CBS affiliate KTPO. Games would also air on Gray-owned affiliates within the Suns viewing region. The deal also includes video technology company Kiswe, which will stream games direct-to-subscriber through team-branded apps. (Press release 4.28, Reuters 4.28, Sports Business Journal 4.28)
CFP sets dates for inaugural 12-team playoff
The College Football Playoff announced Thursday that the inaugural, expanded 12-team playoff is scheduled to begin with first round action on Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21 of 2024, with games on the latter day expected to compete with the NFL. The first round games are to be hosted on campus sites. Three of the four quarterfinal games are set for New Year’s Day, with the fourth either on New Year’s Eve or January 2. As those dates are midweek that season (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday), there would presumably be no NFL competition.
The semifinals would then take place either Thursday, January 9 or Friday, January 10, with the national championship on Monday January 20 — Inauguration Day for the winner of the 2024 presidential election. (ESPN.com 4.27)
Plus: Diamond exec resigns, Waltrip back in booth, XFL schedule change
- Diamond Sports executive Rebecca O’Sullivan-Schulte is stepping down next month, Sports Business Journal reported Friday. O’Sullivan-Schulte has been in charge of four of the Diamond-owned RSNs, including Bally Sports San Diego and Arizona — both of which have either withheld or been late on rights fee payments to teams. (SBJ 4.28)
- Former FOX NASCAR analyst Darrell Waltrip will serve as a guest analyst for the SRX racing series on ESPN July 20, it was announced this week. Waltrip will join SRX broadcasters Allen Bestwick and Matt Yocum. NASCAR Cup Series driver Joey Logano will also serve as a guest analyst this season. (ESPN PR)
- Saturday’s XFL South Division Championship (Arlington-Houston) has moved up from ESPN2 to ESPN, with the start time remaining at 7 PM ET. It is one of several XFL games this season that have been moved up to the ESPN flagship or ABC. (ESPN PR)
