Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Judge signs off on DSG's deals with NBA, NHL

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Tuesday, 03 September 2024 21:45

A federal judge approved Diamond Sports Group's deals with the NBA and NHL on Tuesday, another step forward in the bankrupt operator's nearly 18-month quest to emerge from Chapter 11 reorganization.

A representative for Diamond, which runs regional sports networks under the name Bally Sports, said the company hopes to file a reorganization plan that will allow for confirmation hearings at some point within the first half of November.

The judge also approved Diamond's request to eliminate its contracts with the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans. Diamond's revised deals with the NBA and NHL, details of which have not been made public, ensure that the company will air games for the 22 teams still under its portfolio for the entirety of the upcoming 2024-25 seasons, regardless of whether it ultimately emerges from bankruptcy.

That certainty became necessary as Diamond's confirmation hearings -- in which a bankruptcy judge would essentially decide whether Diamond can move forward as a business -- were delayed twice in the wake of new developments. An original date of June 18 was moved to the end of July, then pushed back even further to allow Diamond to finalize a new carriage agreement with Comcast, which previously took Bally Sports channels off the air. Diamond attorney Joe Graham said in bankruptcy court that the new deals with the NBA and NHL require the company to emerge from bankruptcy by April 1, 2025.

Tuesday's development wasn't without strong pushback from Major League Baseball, which on Friday filed a reservation of rights that called Diamond's new agreements into question. In a 14-minute presentation Tuesday, MLB attorney James Bromley expressed frustration over a lack of transparency on the details of the new NBA and NHL deals and once again called Diamond's long-term viability into question, pointing to recent reports that Amazon had backed out of a prior agreement to invest $115 million.

MLB's biggest gripe, however, revolves around an April 1 deadline that would likely trigger yet another offseason of uncertainty regarding the state of major league teams' regional sports contracts. Said Bromley: "This is now the fourth season in a row that Major League Baseball is heading into the offseason with a complete lack of information and clarity with respect to what's going to happen with respect to Diamond Sports and its ability or willingness to broadcast Major League Baseball games."

Bankruptcy judge Chris Lopez called Diamond's agreements with the NBA and NHL "a step in the right direction" but also said the court took MLB's concerns "very seriously." Another status conference is expected during the first week of October, by which point a confirmation date could be solidified.

Read 82 times

Soccer

Ex-Uruguay striker Forlán loses pro doubles debut

Ex-Uruguay striker Forlán loses pro doubles debut

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMONTEVIDEO, Uruguay -- Former soccer star Diego Forlán's newfound c...

New video puts ref Coote under fresh scrutiny

New video puts ref Coote under fresh scrutiny

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPGMOL, the refereeing body for English football, has confirmed that...

Pulisic: USMNT given 'reset' by Pochettino arrival

Pulisic: USMNT given 'reset' by Pochettino arrival

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAC Milan star Christian Pulisic praised a "reset" for the United St...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Former employee files civil lawsuit against Suns

Former employee files civil lawsuit against Suns

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA former Phoenix Suns employee sued the team Wednesday, citing alle...

Cavs hold off Sixers, 6th team ever to start 13-0

Cavs hold off Sixers, 6th team ever to start 13-0

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHILADELPHIA -- Donovan Mitchell scored 11 of his 23 points in the...

Baseball

Williams' Medal of Freedom, MVP up for auction

Williams' Medal of Freedom, MVP up for auction

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBOSTON -- Ted Williams' Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was pr...

Guardians, AL Central champions, tweak staff

Guardians, AL Central champions, tweak staff

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Guardians manager Stephen Vogt made some tweaks to Cle...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated