Diamond Sports Set to Drop Most MLB Teams: What It Means for Fans
In a significant shake-up for baseball fans, Diamond Sports is planning to drop all but one Major League Baseball (MLB) team from its Bally Sports regional networks. The only exception? The Atlanta Braves. This decision comes amidst Diamond Sports’ ongoing bankruptcy process, raising questions about the future of local baseball broadcasts.
A Major Shift in Broadcasting
Diamond Sports, which owns the Bally Sports networks, is currently in a tough financial situation. They have already dropped teams like the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks from their regional broadcasts. Now, they are negotiating with 11 MLB teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Tampa Bay Rays, to determine their broadcasting future.
An attorney for Diamond stated that while they hope to keep as many teams as possible, they have already started discussions with each club about new contracts. Some teams’ contracts were set to expire this season, complicating the negotiations further.
The Impact of Bankruptcy
This turmoil isn’t new for Diamond Sports. They filed for bankruptcy in March 2023 due to a heavy debt load and changing media landscapes as more viewers cut the cord on traditional cable. The once-lucrative regional sports network model has struggled, leading to fewer subscribers and lower revenue.
Diamond’s attorneys have been attempting to reset the payment structures for broadcasting rights to align with current market conditions. As a result, several teams are exploring new TV and streaming options outside of Diamond.
The Future of MLB Broadcasts
MLB’s regular season recently wrapped up, and with the postseason in full swing, the impact of these changes is being felt. Diamond’s attorney mentioned that rejecting these teams is not their ideal path, indicating they are still open to negotiations. However, talks with MLB’s Commissioner’s Office have come to an end, leading to frustrations from the league.
“Some of our clubs are being left out in the cold again,” lamented MLB attorney James Bromley during the proceedings.
Looking Ahead
While Diamond Sports aims to emerge from bankruptcy as a viable business by year-end, the possibility of winding down operations still looms. Despite this, they have assured both the NBA and NHL that they will honor existing contracts through the end of their respective seasons.
As the landscape of sports broadcasting continues to evolve, fans are left wondering what the future holds for their local teams and how they will access games in the coming months.