• Loading stock data...
Thursday, February 20, 2025

Red Sox Parent Teams Up With Pirates for RSN Clarity in Pittsburgh

  • MLB club becomes part-owner of local RSN.
  • The agreement settles a key outstanding issue for franchise.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

While 11 MLB teams are still working through open questions surrounding their local media rights with Diamond Sports Group’s ongoing bankruptcy, and the effects of that on player payroll, the Pittsburgh Pirates have found critical clarity and much-needed revenue.

The small-market club has completed a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins to become part-owner of SportsNet Pittsburgh, and the Pirates will continue to be shown on the regional sports network. 

The agreement was always a logical outcome, but had faced some uncertainty. SportsNet Pittsburgh has gone through its own transition, having been acquired earlier this year by the Penguins’ parent, Fenway Sports Group, and the expiration of the Pirates’ prior rights deal with the end of the 2023 season.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but the pact, which takes effect Jan. 1, is described as a multiyear deal, and FSG’s New England Sports Network will continue to manage daily operations of SportsNet Pittsburgh. The RSN will again have a year-round portfolio of major pro teams with the Pirates and Penguins.

“From the outset of this process, the most important thing to us was to ensure that our fans have the same level of access to Pirates game telecasts and the same high-quality production that they enjoy today,” said Pirates president Travis Williams. “This agreement accomplishes that.”

Had this deal not been completed, the Pirates were candidates to have their local games produced and distributed by MLB. 

Aiding the agreement was an existing relationship between FSG principal owner John Henry and Pirates owner Bob Nutting. The new pact does create a unique situation in which the parent organization of the Boston Red Sox will be overseeing the local TV deal of another MLB club. The league, however, did not see this as a conflict of interest.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

breaking

‘Shrinking Platform’: MLB, ESPN to Split after 35 Years

Manfred cites multiple issues with ESPN’s MLB coverage, business health.

NBA Dealt Major Blow With Wemby’s Season-Ending Blood Clot

The 21-year-old was named an All-Star this year.

MLS Begins Season With More Messi Mania, Apple Streaming Changes

Inter Miami is once again the betting favorite to win the MLS Cup.

Americans Bet $148 Billion on Sports in 2024, Up 23.6%

Both overall handle and revenue rose by more than 20% last year.

Featured Today

Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre.

Inside the Push for the NHL’s Next Era of International Competition

Players have been clamoring, and the league is all in.
Aug 11, 2024; Paris, France; Medals are carried out on Louis Vuitton trays after the women's volleyball gold medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at South Paris Arena
February 16, 2025

LVMH’s New Push: World’s Most Powerful Luxury Group Is Coming for Sports

LVMH is making long-term deals—and they’re not done.
Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Eastern Conference guard Damian Lillard (0) of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after a play during the second half of the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
February 15, 2025

The NBA’s Latest Attempt To Solve the All-Star Game Conundrum

A new mini-tournament on a lame-duck network may not solve the problem.
Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena
February 11, 2025

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”

Sports Media Rallies Around Influential Blogger Andy Isaac

Tributes poured in across social media after Isaac’s announcement.
Feb 19, 2025; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (right) talks to center fielder Jose Siri (center) and right fielder Starling Marte (left) during a spring training workout at Clover Park.
February 19, 2025

MLB Faces Critical Transition As Streaming Alters Media Landscape

Twenty-two clubs now offer a direct-to-consumer streaming option.
February 19, 2025

NBA TV Ratings Are Down 5%. NBC May Reverse That Trend Next..

TNT viewership is down 11% while ABC/ESPN ratings are flat.
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.
February 19, 2025

NBA All-Star Game Ratings: Second-Least-Watched Ever, Down 13%

The NBA competed with “SNL 50,” which averaged 14.8 million viewers Sunday.
February 19, 2025

Daytona 500 Most-Watched Over the Weekend, Despite Rain Delays

Fox drew an average of 6.76 million viewers for Sunday’s race.
February 18, 2025

Super Bowl LIX Sets Yet Another TV Ratings Record

A record 182.8 million unique viewers watched at least one minute of the game.
February 18, 2025

Netflix Evolves Strategy: Pursuing NFL Sunday Rights

Robust NFL viewership and ad sales help prompt a significant pivot.