• Loading stock data...
Friday, June 20, 2025

Sinclair Fires Tennis Channel CEO Over Work With Dr. Phil

  • Ken Solomon had led the network for years.
  • Sinclair has been exploring a sale of the channel since earlier this year.
Tennis Channel
Tennis Channel

Ken Solomon, the veteran CEO and chair of the Tennis Channel, is being let go by the cable channel’s parent company, Sinclair Inc., industry sources confirmed to Front Office Sports. It’s a major executive shake-up in the closing days of the US Open.

The departure, originally reported by The Wall Street Journal, stems from an apparent disagreement about Solomon’s role since last year as a board member and adviser of Merit Street Media, the company founded and led by television personality Dr. Phil McGraw. Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley is believed to have signed off on Solomon’s activity, but the WSJ said that the Merit work had grown more time-consuming.

The dismissal takes effect Monday.

Solomon had the Tennis Channel since early 2005 and was deeply intertwined with the outlet’s brand and operations. His stewardship had helped make the channel something of an outlier as many other corners of sports media experienced significant declines. The network—also including a robust streaming operation and Tennis.com—has been a solid, if somewhat unspectacular, presence with its single-sport format, generating $67 million in revenue in its most recent quarter, up 12% from the same period in 2023.



The executive had also been trying to lead a sale of the network, a development first reported by FOS in February. Those efforts have not yet yielded an agreement.

The Tennis Channel declined to comment. Sinclair and Merit Street Media did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Alex Schiffer contributed reporting.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.

Fire Rekindled? WNBA’s Portland Expansion Team Eyes Original Name

WNBA trademarks hint at Portland Fire revival as league expands and honors history.
Washington's Ben Gorsage, right, and Orland Park Sandburg's Mateo Ramiro-Garcia tangle at the start of the Class 3A state 800-meter run Saturday, May 31, 2025 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Gorsage took third place, followed by Ramiro-Garcia in fourth.

Dozens of Olympic Sports Have Been Cut in Wake of House v...

Tennis, track and field, and swimming and diving appear heavily impacted.
Apr 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) leave a court after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-85 in game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.

Lakers Sale Stunner: 3 Rapid Reactions

If the Lakers are worth $10 billion, imagine a Cowboys sale price.

Featured Today

Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
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.
June 6, 2025

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Goodyear blimp flies over Ohio Stadium during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game between the Akron Zips and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
June 6, 2025

Why the Goodyear Blimp Is at Every Major Sports Event

The airship wasn’t built to cover sports. Now it’s a regular presence.

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
June 17, 2025

Zaslav Takes Pay Cut, TNT Sports Future Unclear in WBD Shake-Up

The TNT Sports parent company retools its executive pay after shareholder pushback.
June 17, 2025

Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience

Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
Tyrese Haliburton
June 16, 2025

NBA Finals Ratings Up Again in Game 4 but Still Down Overall

More than nine million people watched Games 3 and 4.
Thunder
June 16, 2025

NBA, ABC Air Finals Lineup Intros After Fan Complaints

ABC aired player intros for the first time in 12 years Monday. 
Anthony Slater
exclusive
June 13, 2025

Top Warriors Reporter Anthony Slater Leaving The Athletic for ESPN

Anthony Slater starts at ESPN later this summer.
June 12, 2025

NBA Finals Ratings Rise in Game 3, but Still Trail Recent Years

The Pacers lead the Thunder, 2–1, in the Finals.