Is endgame near from Bally Sports, Guardians with what is happening with Padres broadcasts?
A rather huge domino fell overnight in the ongoing saga of the Diamond Sports Group, also known as Bally Sports.
Bally Sports essentially rescinded its right to broadcast games of Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres, giving them back to the league, which is stepping in to ensure fans do not miss games via assorted means.
The bigger picture or question is what does this mean for the Cleveland Guardians? Guardians fans will likely have an answer soon. Bally Sports is arguing its case in bankruptcy court that it should be allowed to essentially renegotiate deals the regional sports networks’ former owner – Fox – signed in good faith and Diamond’s parent company, Sinclair Broadcasting, was aware of when they purchased the regional sports networks involved in this media rights brouhaha.
Guardians broadcast news: Judge rules in Cleveland Guardians, MLB favor in Bally Sports rights payment dispute
Diamond, according to Sports Business Journal, has offered to keep paying other MLB teams, the Guardians among the nine involved, if those organizations give them streaming rights.
Simplistically put, Diamond is saying in essence: “Give us more money and we’ll pay what we owe you.”
Such a bargain.
That is what Diamond is expected to offer in court today (May 31) and fans will still have to play the waiting game while a company with millions battles organizations with millions to see who receives the better end of a deal.
The only thing definite is that some interested party won’t be happy in the near future. It seems clear that MLB, however, is trying to ensure it's not fans. The fact it will begin broadcasting Padres games immediately bodes well for baseball fandom.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Guardians broadcast situation could clear up in near future
