Dick Vitale is battling cancer. Also: soccer media rights and the latest turn in the RSN saga.
Vitale says he is battling lymphoma
ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale said Monday that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma, a diagnosis that is unrelated to his previous bout with melanoma earlier this year. In an essay posted on ESPN Front Row, Vitale said that he will undergo six months of chemotherapy and that he will be able to continue working during treatment.
Vitale has been a prolific fundraiser for cancer research throughout his life and is deeply involved with The V Foundation, named for his former broadcast partner Jim Valvano. [ESPN 10.18]
Fox to acquire UEFA Euro rights; several to bid on EPL
Sports Business Journal reported Monday that Fox Sports is on the verge of acquiring rights to the 2024 and 2028 UEFA European soccer championships, with an official announcement expected in the next two weeks. ESPN has held rights to the Euro tournament dating back to 2008.
Fox reportedly outbid ESPN, CBS and NBC in acquiring the rights.
In related news, Sports Business Journal also reported Monday that Fox, ESPN and CBS are expected to challenge incumbent NBC for rights to the English Premier League. The EPL is considering splitting its rights between two partners, though it will still consider awarding all rights to one company. [SBJ 10.18]
NYP: MLB looking to launch OTT service for home games, could include NHL and NBA
The New York Post reported Sunday that Major League Baseball is in discussions to launch an over-the-top streaming service that would allow viewers to watch their home teams without a cable subscription as early as 2023. The MLB service, which could include NBA and NHL teams, would cost between $10 and $20 per month. It would not replace regional sports network broadcasts and operate independently of any direct-to-subscriber service offered by Sinclair.
In order to resolve the potential conflict between MLB and Sinclair, which both “have plausible legal claims to the hometown-game streaming rights,” MLB is said to be receptive to the idea of reducing Sinclair’s annual combined rights fee of $1 billion/year. [NYP 10.17]
