• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

Judge Sides With MLB, Orders Diamond Sports to Pay Up

  • At end of a bankruptcy hearing, judge rules that four MLB teams are entitled to full compensation
  • Saddled with $8B in debt, Diamond Sports Group filed for bankruptcy protection in March.
Bally-Sports
Bally Sports

The steep descent of regional sports television over the years wasn’t enough for Diamond Sports Group to escape paying full freight to carry four MLB teams.

After a two-day hearing, Judge Chris Lopez ruled Thursday night that the Texas Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, and Minnesota Twins are entitled to all the money promised in their respective broadcast agreements. 

“Market forces alone shouldn’t be the only evidence that something is clearly unreasonable,” Lopez said during his ruling.

Lopez had previously ruled that the four teams were entitled to partial payments as their games continued to be broadcast on DSG’s Bally Sports RSNs. Now, DSG will have to come up with the rest, although Lopez didn’t set a deadline for payment. 

The most significant developments of the hearing that spanned about 20 hours were the negotiations between Diamond Sports — a Sinclair Broadcast Group subsidiary — and MLB over the last several months. 

  • In January, MLB offered to purchase the rights for the 14 teams broadcast on Bally Sports RSNs. A DSG executive said it only amounted to $60 million, although MLB Commissioner Rob Mandred testified Wednesday that the full value was around $400 million. 
  • DSG attempted to secure direct-to-consumer streaming rights to all 32 clubs with a promise to fully pay all the clubs it has deals with through 2026. 

Those offers didn’t go anywhere, but Lopez encouraged the two sides to work out a resolution. 

“I am not asking the parties to agree,” Lopez said. “I’m asking the parties to talk. That’s my request. I’m not going to force you in the room, but I am asking you to talk.”

DSG filed for bankruptcy protection in March as it seeks to renegotiate $8 billion in debt as subscriber losses  — especially on cable and satellite — snowballed in recent years. 

Sinclair purchased the former Fox Sports RSNs for $10.6 billion in 2019. Disney had acquired the RSNs as part of its purchase of Twenty-First Century Fox, and regulators forced Disney to sell the RSNs. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Money Talks, Dodgers Win: L.A.’s Historic Start Fuels Payroll Debate

A perfect 7–0 start combines with an unprecedented luxury-tax payroll.
Sacramento A's

A’s Sacramento Debut Beset by Logistical Problems

Monday saw broadcast issues, a drone delay, and a tight press setup.
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.
Torpedo bat

Yankees Used the ‘Torpedo’ Bats Last Year

The bats are being widely adopted across baseball.

Featured Today

Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Creator Behind the LeBron ‘Glazing’ Trend Sweeping TikTok

FOS spoke to TikTok user OkaySpade who made the original song.
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys manager Amir Khan before a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Amica Mutual Pavilion
April 1, 2025

Inside the 24-Hour NIL March Madness Deals

Some of the most viral partnerships come together overnight.
Seattle Kraken
April 1, 2025

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

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.
Brehanna Daniels
March 31, 2025

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.
NWSL

NWSL Could Make Tens of Millions Selling New TV Games

Almost 200 games are up for grabs over the next two years.
April 1, 2025

March Madness Ratings Dip After Record Start: Will Final Four Deliver?

Viewership had been at a record pace through the opening rounds.
Feb 2, 2025; Pebble Beach, California, USA; Rory McIlroy (right) is interviewed by CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz (left) on the 18th hole during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
April 2, 2025

Final Four Snags Jim Nantz’s Masters Plan Even After Retirement

Nantz’s final NCAA tournament on the call for CBS was in 2023.
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.
April 1, 2025

Yankees RSN, Comcast Reach Deal After FCC Pressure

The deal keeps the regional sports network on an expanded basic tier.
March 31, 2025

Former ESPN Reporter Zach Lowe Rejoins Bill Simmons at The Ringer

Lowe worked with Ringer co-founder Bill Simmons at Grantland.
March 31, 2025

Yankees RSN and Comcast Clash Intensifies As Deadline for Deal Nears

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