• Loading stock data...
Monday, June 30, 2025

Sinclair Broadcast Group Struggling With Sports

  • Better days may not be ahead for Sinclair Broadcast Group and its sports networks.
  • The telecom firm’s bleak forecast shows that cord-cutting and the pandemic have cratered business.
Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY/Design: Alex Brooks

Better days may not be ahead for Sinclair Broadcast Group and its sports networks.

The telecom firm’s bleak forecast shows that cord-cutting and the pandemic have cratered business.

Sinclair acquired 21 regional sports networks and Fox College Sports from Disney for $9.6 billion in 2019. The deal included exclusive local rights to 42 professional teams across the four major U.S. sports leagues. 

But due to events canceled and delayed by the pandemic, Sinclair lost a slew of distributors including Dish, YouTube TV, and Hulu. The company’s stock price fell to $30.93 Friday, wiping out its 2021 gains, before a slight rebound to $32.65 at market close Monday.

Over the past few months, Sinclair has joined forces with Bally’s Corp. to combat the losses.  

In November, the company signed a naming rights deal with the casino operator in which Bally’s agreed to pay Sinclair $85 million over 10 years for exclusive naming rights to the company’s 21 sports networks. Sinclair received a 15% stake in Bally’s, with the right to increase the holding to 30% if broadcast goals are met.

In February, Bally’s announced its acquisition of free-to-play sports game provider SportCaller. It also acquired sports betting platform Bet.Works and fantasy sports operator Monkey Knife Fight.

Sinclair will lean on the sports betting ventures and a potential debt exchange to dig itself out of the hole created by its sports networks.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Colleges Are Raising Student Fees to Pay for Athlete Revenue-Sharing

Schools are preparing to pay student athletes up to $20.5 million annually.
Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.

Pac-12 Still Playing Conference Tetris As Realignment Heats Up

Sacramento State is leaving the Big Sky for the Big West.
Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Mar 15, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates in the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Little Caesars Arena.

Malik Beasley Is Latest Betting-Related Headache for NBA

It’s the third NBA betting scandal in the last year-and-a-half.
Mar 30, 2025; Spokane, WA, USA; LSU Lady Tigers guard Flau'Jae Johnson (4) shoots against UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) during the second half of a Elite 8 NCAA Tournament basketball game at Spokane Arena.
June 17, 2025

Louisiana Sports Betting Set to Aid LSU and Other State Schools

Louisiana lawmakers have been creative in finding state money for NIL.
Quincy Taylor
June 17, 2025

Several Americans Banned in British Basketball Game-Fixing Scandal

Five former Surrey Scorchers players were hit with lengthy gambling suspensions.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
A view of the FanDuel Sportsbook betting area at Belterra Park Cincinnati.
exclusive
June 13, 2025

FanDuel, Kalshi Have Discussed a Deal

Could FanDuel take an equity stake in Kalshi?
Fanduel
June 10, 2025

FanDuel, DraftKings Add Illinois Transaction Fee in Response to New Tax

FanDuel will charge 50 cents per bet starting Sept. 1.
May 1, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; A general overall view as Dallas Mavericks and LA Clippers players run across the Clippers logo at midcourt in the first half during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
June 6, 2025

Kalshi’s Momentum Fuels Crypto.com’s Fight Over Sports Markets

Crypto.com cited a recent Kalshi court victory in its own fight against Nevada.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks after giving his annual State of the State address on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Springfield.
June 2, 2025

Illinois Passes New Sports Betting Tax in Middle of the Night

This is the second straight year Illinois approved a tax increase on sportsbooks.