Major: Popular sports television network officially prepares to declare bankruptcy
PUBLICATION
MarcO
January 29, 2023 (10:54)
On his most recent episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast, renowned journalist Elliotte Friedman mentioned this:
"There's a major story in development in the sports world right now, and it's not talked about enough because there's too much action right now, while we're in the middle of the NHL season, but it's probably the biggest story in the hockey world right now.
The very big and popular Bally Sports RSN is declaring bankruptcy. That includes no less than 12 (!) NHL TV networks, 12 NHL Networks."
Here are the details:
Bally Sports RSN's are preparing for bankruptcy, including 12 NHL networks.
The company called Diamond Sports Group LLC, which runs Sincalirs sports channels, is reportedly $8.6 billion in debt. Sinclair is hoping to strike a deal to help them keep the channels operating thanks to bankruptcy.
In total, Sinclair owes $55 billion in sports-media rights, according to Bloomberg. A bankruptcy could put payments to the NBA and NHL at risk. It is being reported that Sinclair will skip a $140 million interest payment due in mid-February, starting a 30-day grace period for the company.
Sinclair has launched a $20 a month subscription service to get Bally Sports networks without cable TV. So far, though, fans seem not to be running to the service in the numbers expected.
Sinclair will likely seek to end some contracts with teams and cut back on payments to others.
It is reported that Sinclairs Diamond sports group has about $585 million cash in hand but owes about $2 billion in fees to teams this year.
This would affect Los Angeles, Anaheim, Arizona, Dallas, St. Louis, Minnesota, Detroit, Columbus, Nashville, Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Florida.
- Via Puckempire, Instagram
You read that right. It's affecting Arizona in particular, a place where broadcasting of NHL games was already in jeopardy.
Other affected markets include Los Angeles, Anaheim, Dallas, St. Louis, Minnesota, Detroit, Columbus, Nashville, Carolina, Tampa Bay and Florida.
More details will follow, but it could change the picture considerably.
Their business model was not sustainable, and they needed to act to stop the recurring losses.
POLL |
JANVIER 29 | 309 ANSWERS Major: Popular sports television network officially prepares to declare bankruptcy Do you watch the NHL in French or English? |
French | 56 | 18.1 % |
English | 253 | 81.9 % |
List of polls |
|
1 hour ago | By Elias Adaime Jake Evans' Rising Trade Value: New Development Emerges as Craig Button Reveals the Details |
|
7 hours ago | By Elias Adaime It's Confirmed: The Canadiens Turn Their Back on Cayden Primeau |
|
9 hours ago | By Elias Adaime Former Canadiens Goalie's Name Emerges as a Possible Replacement for Cayden Primeau |
|
10 hours ago | By Elias Adaime Lane Hutson Gets Mocked Online by Opposing Fans for His Unorthodox Playing Style |
|
11 hours ago | By Elias Adaime Patrik Laine and Arber Xhekaj Share a Special Moment in Canadiens' Locker Room After Win Over Detroit |
|
12 hours ago | By Elias Adaime Montreal Canadiens Announce Press Conference as All Eyes Turn to Cayden Primeau |
|
14 hours ago | By Elias Adaime Canadiens Trade May Have Fallen Through After Last Night's Game Against the Red Wings |
|
16 hours ago | By Elias Adaime Martin St-Louis Reveals the Hard Truth About Kirby Dach's Struggles This Season |
Previously on HabsFanatics