Earlier this week, United States Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. Lopez ruled that Diamond Sports Group (DSG) — a subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group and operator of the Bally Sports network of regional sports networks (RSNs) — is required to pay the full value of their TV contracts with the Rangers, Twins, Guardians, and Diamondbacks. All four teams sold their broadcasting rights to Bally Sports, yet were at risk of missing out on those payments due to DSG’s bankruptcy filing.
If you’ve been following the bankruptcy developments, you’ll know that these have been particularly heated hearings that will have a fundamental impact on the future of sports broadcast distribution.