Editing Fox Sports Networks (section)

=== Sale to Sinclair Broadcast Group ===
On December 14, 2017, [[The Walt Disney Company]] announced its intention to [[Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney|acquire 21st Century Fox]] for $52.4 billion after the [[corporate spin-off|spin-off]] of certain businesses into a new entity ([[Fox Corporation]]). While the acquisition was originally slated to include Fox Sports' regional operations (which, presumably, would have been re-aligned with Disney's [[ESPN]] division),<ref>{{cite web |last=Munson |first=Ben |date=December 6, 2017 |title=Disney's pursuit of Fox RSNs could be big boost for ESPN |url=https://www.fiercecable.com/broadcasting/disney-s-pursuit-fox-s-rsns-could-be-big-boost-for-espn |access-date=December 12, 2017 |periodical=FierceCable}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/12/14/media/disney-fox/index.html|title=Disney buys 21st Century Fox: Who gets what|last=Goldman|first=David|date=2017-12-14|work=[[CNN Business|CNNMoney]]|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref> the [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]] ordered that they be divested within 90 days of the completion of the acquisition due to the concentration of the market that ESPN would hold.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/disney-21st-century-fox-justice-department-approval-1202859241/|title=Justice Department Approves Disney's Acquisition of 21st Century Fox With Divestiture of Regional Sports Networks|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=June 27, 2018|work=Variety|access-date=June 27, 2018}}</ref><ref name=cnbc>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/27/us-set-to-give-antitrust-approval-for-disney-fox-deal.html|title=US gives Disney-Fox deal antitrust approval|work=CNBC|date=June 27, 2018|access-date=June 27, 2018}}</ref>

[[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] was mentioned as the most likely buyer for the other FSN networks, but would need the assistance of a [[private equity firm]] to help raise the cash needed for the purchase.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilen |first=Holden |title= Sinclair Broadcast CEO eyes deal for Fox's regional sports networks |url= https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2018/10/03/sinclair-broadcast-ceo-eyes-deal-for-foxs-regional.html |work=Baltimore Business Journal |publisher= American Business Journals |date=Oct 3, 2018 |access-date=2018-11-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.insideradio.com/free/sinclair-considers-private-equity-to-purchase-fox-sports-networks/article_a2b9bef0-c6ca-11e8-9021-2b66a86fb753.html |title=Sinclair Considers Private Equity to Purchase Fox Sports Networks |publisher= insideradio.com |date=2018-10-03 |access-date=2018-11-12}}</ref> The group's other sports properties include [[Stadium (sports network)|Stadium]]—a national sports network distributed via over-the-air digital television and internet streaming, [[Tennis Channel]], as well as [[Marquee Sports Network]], a joint venture with the [[Chicago Cubs]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-marquee-tv-channel-debut-sinclair-what-to-know-20190213-story.html|title=The Cubs are starting a new TV channel in 2020. Here's what that means for fans.|last=Rosenthal|first=Phil|website=chicagotribune.com|date=February 13, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-14}}</ref> Over 40 parties were reported to have expressed interest, including [[Silver Lake Partners]] and [[William Morris Endeavor]] in a joint deal, [[Charter Communications]], [[Discovery, Inc.|Discovery]] (who operates the [[Eurosport]] networks in Europe),<ref>{{cite news |last=James |first=Meg |date=2018-11-08 |title=Auction of Fox's regional sports networks draws interest from Amazon and maybe LeBron James |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-disney-fox-regional-sports-20181109-story.html |access-date=2018-11-12 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]], [[Apollo Global Management]], [[The Blackstone Group]], [[CVC Capital Partners]], [[Ice Cube]] and [[LL Cool J]], [[Kohlberg Kravis Roberts|KKR]], [[Nexstar Media Group]], [[Providence Equity Partners]] and [[YouTube]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-11/fight-for-fox-local-sports-channels-could-shake-up-broadcasting|title=Fight for Fox Local Sports Channels Could Shake Up Broadcasting|last1=Smith|first1=Gerry|last2=Ahmed|first2=Nablia|work=Bloomberg L.P.|date=August 11, 2018|access-date=October 14, 2018}}</ref> Due to a clause imposed on the original sale,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-14/yankees-are-said-to-want-yes-network-back-if-fox-sells-assets|title=Yankees Consider Buying Back YES If Fox Sells Assets|last=Soshnick|first=Scott|work=Bloomberg L.P.|date=June 14, 2018|access-date=June 15, 2018}}</ref> [[Yankee Global Enterprises]] had a right of first refusal to purchase Fox's share in [[YES Network]]. [[Allen & Company]] and [[JPMorgan Chase]], who were handling the FSN sale for Disney, asked that all bids include YES in their offers.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/sports-channels-draw-interest-from-private-equity-new-fox-and-ice-cube-1540891800|title=Sports Channels Draw Interest From Private Equity, 'New Fox' and Ice Cube|first1=Joe|last1=Flint|first2=Andrew|last2=Beaton|first3=Miriam|last3=Gottfried|date=October 30, 2018|access-date=March 20, 2019|work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref>

Fox did not bid for the channels in the first round. On November 20, 2018, Amazon, Sinclair and CVC jointly,<ref>{{cite news |title=Apollo finds TV station partner for Tribune Media bid |url=https://www.nasdaq.com/article/apollo-finds-tv-station-partner-for-tribune-media-bid-20181128-01110 |access-date=December 12, 2018 |work=NASDAQ.com |agency=Reuters |date=November 28, 2018 |language=en-us}}</ref> Apollo, KKR and [[Tegna Inc.|Tegna]] officially bid for the network.<ref>{{cite web|last=Faber|first=David|title=Amazon bids for Disney's 22 regional sports channels, including YES Network, sources say|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/20/amazon-bids-for-disneys-22-regional-sports-networks-including-yes-network-sources-say.html|access-date=November 20, 2018|work=CNBC|date=November 20, 2018}}</ref> It was also reported that a Sinclair/CVC joint venture was the leading bidder.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sinclair Broadcasting seeks redemption in its bid for Fox's regional sports networks |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/sinclair-broadcasting-seeks-redemption-in-its-bid-for-foxs-regional-sports-networks |work=Fox Business Network |access-date=December 12, 2018 |date=December 11, 2018}}</ref><ref>[https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2018/12/11/disney-looking-to-sell-fox-regional-sports.html Disney looking to sell Fox regional sports networks piecemeal]</ref> In December 2018, it was reported that due to the low bids, there was the possibility that the networks could be sold individually instead of as a single group, and that the banks were in talks with those who made partial bids, such as Amazon (who only bid for the YES Network) and Charter (who only bid for Fox Sports South). [[Minnesota Twins]] owner [[Jim Pohlad]] was reportedly interested in his team's broadcaster Fox Sports North.<ref>{{cite news |title=Disney plans to split up Fox's local sports networks to sell |url=https://nypost.com/2018/12/10/disney-plans-to-split-up-foxs-local-sports-networks-to-sell/ |work=New York Post |access-date=December 12, 2018 |date=December 10, 2018}}</ref> Discovery CEO [[David Zaslav]] stated that the company had considered a bid, but that regional sports networks were a "very treacherous market".<ref name="aa-fortheculture"/>

In a January 2019 SEC filing, Fox Corporation stated that it no longer had any plans to bid for the channels.<ref>{{cite news|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|title=Fox Confirms It Won't Bid on Disney's Regional Sports Networks|url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/fox-disney-regional-sports-networks-bid-1203105421/|work=Variety|date=January 11, 2019|access-date=January 11, 2019}}</ref> On January 11, 2019 [[CNBC]] reported that Apollo, Blackstone, CVC and other bidders except Sinclair backed out of the deal for the networks with the sole bidder being the Sinclair/CVC joint venture.<ref>{{cite web|last=Faber|first=David|title=Faber Report: Fox says it will not bid for regional sports networks|url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/01/11/faber-report-fox-bid-regional-sports-networks.html|access-date=January 12, 2019|work=CNBC|date=January 12, 2019}}</ref> It was also reported that the possibility of spinning out the channels as an independent company was also being considered.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kosman |first1=Josh |last2=Morgan |first2=Richard |title=DOJ may allow Disney to spin off Fox's regional sports networks |url=https://nypost.com/2019/01/14/doj-may-allow-disney-to-spin-off-of-foxs-regional-sports-networks/ |access-date=January 18, 2019 |work=New York Post |date=January 15, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Palmeri |first1=Christopher |last2=Ahmed |first2=Nabila |last3=Soshnick |first3=Scott |title=Disney Seeks Deals for Sports Networks by Late February |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-15/disney-said-to-seek-deals-for-sports-networks-by-late-february |access-date=January 18, 2019 |work=Bloomberg.com |date=January 15, 2019}}</ref> In February 2019, it was reported that Apollo and Sinclair had dropped out (but with the former seeking a new partner), but that Liberty Media and [[Major League Baseball]] had made offers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/05/liberty-media-joins-bidding-for-regional-sports-networks-.html|title=Liberty Media joins bidding for regional sports networks|last=Faber|first=David|date=2019-02-05|website=cnbc.com|access-date=2019-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.myajc.com/sports/leadoff-sizing-braves-owner-interest-buying-fox-sports-south/jgat6BbJJaJujfWx17GvPK/|title=Leadoff: Sizing up Braves owner's interest in buying Fox Sports South|last=Tucker|first=Tim|website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|language=en|access-date=2019-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://seekingalpha.com/news/3429591-cnbc-liberty-media-jumps-bidding-fox-sports-nets|title=CNBC: Liberty Media jumps into bidding for Fox sports nets|last=Aycock|first=Jason|date=2019-02-05|work=Seeking Alpha|access-date=2019-03-02|language=en-US}}</ref> Later that month, it was reported that Pohlad and Detroit Pistons owner [[Tom Gores]] (via his private equity firm [[Platinum Equity]]) had joined the Liberty Media bid.<ref>{{cite web|first=Bill|last=Shea|url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/media/tom-gores-platinum-equity-reportedly-part-bid-buy-fox-sports-detroit-and-sister-networks|title=Tom Gores' Platinum Equity reportedly part of bid to buy Fox Sports Detroit and sister networks|date=2019-02-22|website=Crain's Detroit Business|language=en|access-date=2019-03-21}}</ref>

On March 8, 2019, it was reported that the Yankees had reached a deal to re-purchase Fox's share in the YES Network for $3.5 billion, with Sinclair, Amazon and [[The Blackstone Group]] holding minority shares. MLB also confirmed a $10 billion bid, seeking to use them to bolster the income of its small-market teams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/yankees-buy-back-yes-network-from-disney-in-3-5b-deal|title=Yankees buy back YES network from Disney in $3.5B deal |last=Gasparino |first=Charlie|date=2019-03-08 |website=Fox News |language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/yes-network-sold-for-3-5b-to-yankees-amazon-sinclair-private-equity-reports-1202572010/|title=YES Network Sold For $3.5B To Yankees, Amazon, Sinclair, Private Equity: Reports|last=Hayes|first=Dade|date=2019-03-08|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=2019-04-01}}</ref> It was also reported that month that [[Ice Cube]] and [[LL Cool J]] (via Ice Cube's 3-on-3 basketball league [[Big3]]—which had Fox as its initial broadcast partner) were also preparing a bid of around $15 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crainscleveland.com/kevin-kleps-blog/ice-cube-appears-be-serious-suitor-group-regional-sports-networks-includes-fso-and|title=Ice Cube appears to be serious suitor for group of regional sports networks that includes FSO and STO|date=2019-03-06|website=Crain's Cleveland Business|language=en|access-date=2019-04-01}}</ref> Big3 stated that it wanted to expand the channels to include programming covering "broader cultural and political topics" of local interest alongside sports. In April 2019, Big3 filed a complaint with the Department of Justice and FCC, accusing Charter Communications of attempting to "undermine" its bid by threatening to not carry the channels if it won the auction. Liberty Media owner [[John C. Malone|John Malone]] has an ownership stake in Charter; the company denied Big3's allegations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2019/04/11/big3-league-accuses-charter-of-manipulating-disney-auction/|title=Big3 league accuses Charter of manipulating Disney auction|last=Morgan|first=Richard|date=2019-04-11|website=New York Post|language=en|access-date=2019-04-11}}</ref> The final round of bids were due on April 15, 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/fox-regional-sports-network-sale-nears-conclusion-as-final-round-bids-come-due-april-15|title=Fox Regional Sports Network sale nears conclusion as final round bids come due April 15|last=Gasparino|first=Charlie|date=2019-03-25|website=Fox Business|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-01}}</ref> with bids having been in excess of $10 billion or higher. Liberty and MLB were reported to have partnered on a joint bid, Big3's bid contained $6.5 billion in debt and only $3 billion in outside funding, while Sinclair had re-entered contention in a joint bid with Apollo.<ref name="aa-fortheculture">{{Cite web|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/local-networks/final-fox-rsn-bids-liberty-mlb-sinclair-big3.html|title=Final Fox RSN bids see Liberty and MLB team up, Sinclair back in the game, and the BIG3 still bidding "for the culture"|date=2019-04-16|website=Awful Announcing|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-16}}</ref>

On April 26 and May 2, respectively, [[Fox Business Network]] and ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported that Sinclair was nearing an agreement to purchase the networks for $10 billion.<ref name="Gasparino">{{cite web |last1=Gasparino |first1=Charlie |title=EXCLUSIVE: Sinclair places top bid, reaches "handshake agreement" with Disney for Fox Regional Sports Networks |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/sinclair-top-bid-handshake-fox-regional-sports-networks |website=[[Fox Business Network]] |access-date=April 30, 2019 |date=April 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/disney-fox-rsns-sinclair-1203203930/|title=Disney Nears $10 Billion Sale of Fox Sports Networks to Sinclair|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|date=2019-05-02|work=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref> On May 3, Sinclair officially announced that via its subsidiary Diamond Sports Group, it had agreed to purchase the networks for $10.6 billion, pending regulatory approval. At the same time, it was also revealed that [[Allen Media Group]] would hold an equity stake in the company and serve as a "content partner".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/sinclair-disney-regional-sports-network-deal-1203204685/|title=Sinclair Clinches Disney-Regional Sports Networks Deal, Byron Allen Joins as Partner|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-05-05|date=May 3, 2019}}</ref> Three senators ([[Cory Booker]], [[Bernie Sanders]] and [[Elizabeth Warren]]) called for the sale to be reviewed by the Department of Justice, citing concerns over Sinclair's [[Sinclair Broadcast Group#Political views|political views]], and that it could use the networks as leverage for carriage agreements for its broadcast television stations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/450189-warren-sanders-booker-urge-review-of-sinclair-106b-acquisition-of-regional|title=Warren, Sanders, Booker urge review of Sinclair $10.6B acquisition of regional sports networks|last=Balluck|first=Kyle|date=2019-06-25|website=TheHill|language=en|access-date=2019-06-29}}</ref>

The sale was completed on August 22, 2019. The networks would continue to temporarily use the "Fox Sports" branding under a transitional license agreement with Fox Corporation; Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley stated that there were plans to eventually rebrand them under either a new name, or to "partner with a brand who wants more exposure". There were also plans to increase non-event programming, and emphasis on [[sports betting]] in its programming.<ref name="bizjournals">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2019/08/26/sinclair-ceo-see-massive-opportunity-with.html|title=Sinclair CEO see 'massive opportunity' with rebranding of Fox sports networks|website=Baltimore Business Journal|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref> In November 2019, the ''[[Sun-Sentinel]]'' reported that Fox Sports Florida was to be rebranded "within the next few months".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/florida-panthers/fl-sp-panthers-media-notes-20191106-3r7tnkogindcjedw24z5mdbpku-story.html|title=Heat and Panthers TV ratings soar amid hot starts; Marlins online viewership increases|last=Dusenbury|first=Wells|website=sun-sentinel.com|date=November 5, 2019 |access-date=2019-11-29}}</ref>

Due to [[carriage dispute]]s, [[Dish Network]] and [[Sling TV]] dropped Fox Sports Networks in July 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=2019-07-26 |title=Fox Regional Sports Nets Go Dark on Dish |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/fox-regional-sports-nets-dark-dish-1203281096/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> [[FuboTV]] dropped the channels in January 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carp |first=Sam |date=2020-01-02 |title=Sinclair’s Fox RSNs dropped by FuboTV |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/sinclair-fox-rsns-fubotv-nba-mlb-nhl/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=SportsPro |language=en-GB}}</ref> and [[YouTube TV]] and [[Hulu + Live TV]] followed in October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2020-02-27 |title=YouTube TV Is Dropping Fox Regional Sports Nets, YES Network After Sinclair Standoff |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/youtube-tv-dropping-sinclair-fox-rsn-yes-network-1203518191/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/media/2020/10/22/hulu-sinclair-rsns-fox-sports-yes/3728659001/|title=Hulu drops Sinclair Broadcast Group's Fox Sports Regional Networks, including YES|last=Bumbaca|first=Chris|website=[[USA Today]]|access-date=2020-10-24}}</ref>

On November 4, 2020, Sinclair took a $4.23 billion write-down on the FSN purchase.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sinclair Posts Higher Political Ad Revenue, Takes $4.2B Local Sports Charge|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sinclair-posts-higher-political-ad-revenue-takes-local-sports-charge|access-date=2020-11-19|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 4, 2020}}</ref>

==== Rebranding as Bally Sports ====
{{main|Bally Sports}}
On November 17, 2020, it was reported by ''[[Sportico]]'' that Sinclair was considering rebranding the networks via a [[naming rights]] agreement, and was reportedly in talks with multiple companies involved in sports betting.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Novy-Williams |first=Eben |last2=Feldman |first2=Jacob |date=2020-11-17 |title=Sinclair Exploring Sale of RSN Naming Rights to Betting Companies |url=https://www.sportico.com/business/media/2020/sinclair-naming-rights-rsn-networks-1234616750 |access-date=2020-11-19 |website=[[Sportico]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The next day, Sinclair announced that it had entered into an agreement with casino operator [[Bally's Corporation]] to acquire the naming rights under a 10-year deal. The agreement included integration of Bally's content on the channels and other Sinclair properties (including its television stations, Stadium, and Tennis Channel), and a [[Warrant (finance)|warrant]] giving Sinclair the option to acquire a 14.9% stake in Bally's Corporation, and up to 24.9% if performance criteria are met.<ref name="ballysdeal">{{Cite web|last=Novy-Williams|first=Eben|date=2020-11-19|title=Bally's Buys Sinclair RSN Naming Rights As Part of Sports Betting Push|url=https://www.sportico.com/business/sports-betting/2020/ballys-sinclair-naming-rights-1234616912/|access-date=2020-11-19|website=Sportico.com|language=en-US}}</ref> Sinclair announced in December 2020 that it planned to launch its own [[direct-to-consumer]] Bally's-branded streaming service, including live streaming of its linear sports networks, in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moraine |first1=Julie |title=Sinclair Offers Direct-To-Consumer Sports Streaming Service |url=https://www.gamblingnews.com/news/sinclair-offers-direct-to-consumer-sports-streaming-service/ |publisher=Gambling News |date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>

On January 27, 2021, Sinclair announced that the networks would be rebranded as '''Bally Sports''' with [[Fox Sports Carolinas]] and [[Fox Sports Tennessee]] discontinued and their sports programming dispersed to the Bally Sports South and Southeast channels. To better reflect their target markets, Prime Ticket and SportsTime Ohio were rebranded as Bally Sports SoCal and Bally Sports Great Lakes, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Balderston|first=Michael|date=2021-01-27|title=Sinclair, Bally Reveal Bally Sports Rebrand for RSNs|url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/sinclair-bally-reveal-bally-sports-rebrand|access-date=2021-01-28|website=TVTechnology|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-19|title=Farewell, Fox Sports West. Hello, Bally Sports|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-11-18/fox-sports-west-bally-sports-prime-ticket|access-date=2021-01-28|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2021, Sinclair revealed that the relaunch would occur on March 31, the eve of Major League Baseball's [[Opening Day]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-18|title=Fox Sports regional networks will become Bally Sports|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2021/03/fox-sports-regional-networks-will-become-bally-sports-on-march-31.html|access-date=2021-03-27|website=al|language=en}}</ref>