• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

Bally Sports Owner Makes Rangers Payment, Other MLB Clubs Still Waiting

  • League looks to recreate one of the sport’s decades-old economic bedrocks on the fly
  • Future decisions loom for bankrupt Diamond Sports Group
Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK — The bankrupt Diamond Sports Group met Thursday’s deadline to pay rights fees due to the Texas Rangers — but whether it will do so for three more MLB clubs by July 1 and others down the line is anybody’s guess.

At owners meetings in New York, league commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed that the Rangers received the full rights fee due to the club following a recent court ruling. The deadline had been heavily anticipated given DSG’s recent decision to abandon its rights for the San Diego Padres.

The Rangers payment, however, doesn’t give a clear indication regarding payments due in less than three weeks to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, and Minnesota Twins, as well as one to the Cincinnati Reds in a month.

“We’re kind of going day-to-day,” Manfred said in response to a Front Office Sports question on the RSN situation.

The league’s ongoing reckoning with regional sports networks dominated much of the discussion at MLB owners meetings this week in New York as league and club officials look to recreate one of the sport’s decades-old economic bedrocks on the fly.

But Manfred said he was pleased with initial fan response to MLB’s production and distribution of Padres games, several of which topped season-long audience averages.

“It’s really important for all our clubs, and our [DSG] clubs in particular to realize how smoothly it has gone standing the games up in San Diego,” Manfred said. “And we’ve had a really positive response on the direct-to-consumer side there.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Seattle Kraken

Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.

Clark Hunt: Chiefs Will Decide on Stadium Plans by Summer

The Chiefs owner also addresses TV, Patrick Mahomes, and the White House.
Oct 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of a television camera operator during the game between the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Sources: NFL ‘Virtual Lock’ to Opt Out of Media-Rights Deals

Data continues to support an early opt-out of the league’s rights.

Featured Today

Brehanna Daniels

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.
Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.
March 30, 2025

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) and the Alabama Crimson Tide bench celebrate during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
March 29, 2025

How Alabama Became College Basketball’s Newest Juggernaut

The Crimson Tide have found success rivaling their historic football program.
Kendall Coyne Schofield
March 25, 2025

Kendall Coyne Schofield Wants More for the Next Wave of Mom-Athletes

The Walter Cup–winning Frost captain says small changes mean “everything.”

Former ESPN Reporter Zach Lowe Rejoins Bill Simmons at The Ringer

Lowe worked with Ringer co-founder Bill Simmons at Grantland.
exclusive
March 28, 2025

ESPN Making Erin Dolan In-Game Betting Analyst for UFL Games

Erin Dolan will provide betting news and notes during game broadcasts.
March 31, 2025

Yankees RSN and Comcast Clash Intensifies As Deadline for Deal Nears

The invective escalates as a contract deadline approaches Monday night.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Both teams line the field during the singing of the national anthem prior to the start of the opening day game between the NY Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
March 27, 2025

Yankees RSN, Comcast Reach Last-Minute Extension in Ongoing Dispute

The two sides will keep negotiating as large-scale issues remain unresolved.
March 26, 2025

Yankees RSN Faces Comcast Blackout Threat Ahead of Opening Day

The Yankees-led RSN and the No. 2 U.S. cable carrier clash again.
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is pursued by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
March 26, 2025

RFK-Threatened Pharma Ad Ban Wouldn’t Hurt NFL Broadcasters

It wouldn’t be the first effort to restrict drug ads.
Apr 5, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; General view of Yankee Stadium before an opening day game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays.
March 25, 2025

Could ESPN Have a Future With MLB? Network Hints at Renegotiation

The Disney-owned network signals a willingness to renegotiate.