A microphone with Barry’s logo is used during the postgame interview of the Atlanta Braves’ 3-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins on June 28, 2023 at Trust Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
Todd Kirkland | Getty Images
Major League Baseball is gone from here.
Diamond Sports, which operates Bally Sports-branded regional sports networks, announced Wednesday that it plans to remove all MLB teams except the Atlanta Braves from its channels.
Bally Sports has more than a dozen networks across the country, and Diamond has access to all 11 teams on the air: Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and Minnesota. I took it. Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers – Revised proposed contract to determine the future of MLB on the network.
Diamond’s lawyers made the comments Wednesday before a U.S. bankruptcy judge as part of an update on the company’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings and attempts to finalize a reorganization plan.
A Diamond spokesperson said some of those teams’ contracts are already set to expire at the end of this season, and some contracts are pending in bankruptcy proceedings.
MLB’s regular season ended earlier this week, and the postseason has already begun. Regional sports networks primarily broadcast regular season games.
“Let’s be clear: rejecting these teams is not the path we want to take,” Diamond’s attorney Andrew Goldman said Wednesday. “Our preferred plan is to bring as many teams into the restructured organization as possible.” [company’s] Fold as much as possible. ”
He added that the company is still negotiating with the teams, but has concluded discussions with MLB’s Office of the Commissioner.
“It’s unfortunate that we’re being sandbagged like this,” MLB attorney James Bromley told a bankruptcy judge Wednesday. “It’s putting some teams in a tough spot again.” he added. An MLB spokesperson declined to comment.
Goldman noted that Diamond warned the league about this outcome in August, which could happen if MLB rejects Diamond’s latest proposal.
curveball
Sal Frelick of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a double in the bottom of the fourth inning of Game 2 of the National League wild card baseball game against the New York Mets on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 in Milwaukee.
Molly Gash AP
For decades, regional sports networks were a lucrative business model for teams and leagues, with networks paying high fees to air games. But the company has struggled as cord-cutting has hurt its pay-TV business, leading to a decline in subscribers.
This, and the large amount of debt Diamond has grappled with since Sinclair acquired the business from Disney in 2019, led the owner of the largest portfolio of regional sports networks to file for bankruptcy in March 2023. .
Diamond’s lawyers are seeking to reset payments on these rights to reflect the so-called market rate. As a result, Diamond rejected the deal, leaving many teams to seek new television and streaming outlets.
In June, the NBA and NHL expressed concerns about the viability of the diamond business, especially ahead of the season that begins this month.
Diamond’s lawyers said Wednesday was a “watershed moment” for the company, as it was able to submit a revised reorganization plan. Diamond is looking to emerge from bankruptcy protection, but there is still a chance it could wind down its operations. still, Lawyers say the company has promised the NBA and NHL that it will honor its contracts through the end of the season.
A Diamond spokesperson said in a statement: “Today marks an important step for Diamond as we submit a master plan to emerge from bankruptcy and position ourselves as a viable business for the future by the end of the year. It will happen,” he said. “We have submitted proposals to MLB team partners and are continuing to discuss future plans. Through our linear and digital services, we are confident that we can build the best engine that is economical and fan-friendly for all team partners. I strongly believe that.”
Diamond’s dispute with MLB began before the application was filed.
Diamond has been trying unsuccessfully for some time to retain the streaming rights to all MLB teams broadcast on its network.
Last year, the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks left Bally Sports Network, and the league instead began producing and distributing games on pay-TV bundles and MLB TV.
