Diamond Sports activities Group revealed in court docket filings on Wednesday that it has reached new broadcasting offers with the Rays and Tigers, as first noticed by Invoice Shaikin of the Los Angeles Instances (X hyperlink). The Rays launched a press release confirming their settlement. The Tigers haven’t commented.
Each groups presumably took lowered charges from their prior contracts with Diamond, which had operated beneath the Bally Sports activities identify till a current rebrand. Phrases of each agreements stays unreported. Diamond had deserted its contracts with 11 of its 12 companions, solely abiding by the unique phrases of its settlement with the Braves. Court docket filings as we speak revealed that some portion of the Braves’ deal was amended, although it’s not clear what modifications have been made.
Diamond has since hammered out new offers with the Marlins, Cardinals, Angels, Rays and Tigers. The Rangers and Reds are wanting elsewhere, whereas the Twins, Brewers and Guardians agreed to permit Main League Baseball to deal with in-market distribution. The Royals are the one crew that continues to be in limbo. Evan Drellich of the Athletic experiences that Diamond stays in talks with the Kansas Metropolis franchise.
There must be decision by the tip of the week. Diamond is about for a affirmation listening to tomorrow on its reorganization plan. The corporate wants approval from the chapter court docket to keep away from liquidation. The Braves and MLB had filed an objection final week, expressing their perception that Diamond was at risk of rapidly falling again into insolvency. Drellich writes that MLB and the Braves have withdrawn their objection. The Division of Justice is the one occasion nonetheless objecting to Diamond’s plan, as they’ve taken problem with among the authorized releases. That appears to be a minor hurdle, so Diamond seems nicely positioned to proceed operations at the least into 2025.
