Disney to Spend $44.9 Billion on Sports Rights Through 2027
The Walt Disney Co. filed its annual report on Tuesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and among the disclosures sprinkled through the 112-page document…
media rights
Learfield Credit Rating Dropped Because of Debt Level, Loans
College sports media and marketing dealmaker Learfield had its credit rating and outlook dropped by Moody’s Investor Service because of concerns of the company’s debt…
Shrinking Pay-TV Universe, Economy Can’t Stop Sports Rights From Climbing
Major League Soccer and Formula One both signed new media rights contracts over the last 90 days that are worth significantly more than their expiring pacts. The Big Ten…
Big Ten Finalizes 7-Year, $7 Billion Media Rights Deal with Fox, CBS, NBC
The Big Ten on Thursday announced it has finalized a new broadcast-heavy media-rights package, inking Fox, NBC and CBS to a comprehensive deal that extends through the…
Best Of 2022
Kevin Warren’s Big Ten Revival Was More Fraught Than You Know
Rosemont, Ill. — In early May, Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren took a break from the whirlwind of his life to put it into some context. The 58-year-old Warren…
Apple’s MLS Deal Shows It Wants to Distribute Rights, Not Buy Them
Apple recently won the exclusive rights to stream MLS games on its platforms for 10 years, beginning in 2023, with an offer worth at least $2.5 billion. Some media…
Oklahoma’s ESPN+ Deal Reflects New Thinking About Distribution
The University of Oklahoma recently signed a multiyear pact with ESPN+ that will result in the creation of an OU specific network—SoonerVision—inside of the subscription…
ESPN Digs In on Softball, Lacrosse via 2-Year Athletes Unlimited Deal
ESPN is deepening its lacrosse and softball coverage and expanding its summer broadcast slate through a two-year deal with Athletes Unlimited—the league’s first…
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Reach May Heat Up Sports Rights Bidding
With its merger complete, expect the newly formed Warner Brothers Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) to become an even more aggressive bidder for top live-sports rights in the…
In Media Rights Hunt, MLS Must Balance Hard Cash With Growth Prospects
Having added four franchises since 2020 and with new clubs soon to take root in St. Louis and (presumably) Las Vegas, Major League Soccer is in the midst of a…
NASCAR Kicks Off Critical Season With Broadcast Talks Looming
Sunday’s sold-out Daytona 500 is the first points race on the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series schedule (the Feb. 6 “Clash at The Coliseum” was an exhibition race). The upcoming…
Why Apple May Finally Be Ready to Carry Live Sports
Wedbush’s Dan Ives (managing director, equity research) recently wrote in an investor note that Apple is on an “aggressive hunt” for live sports rights. The investment…
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