Report: Orioles win initial broadcast rights battle over Nationals

The Orioles won an initial battle in the fight over Nationals television broadcast rights on Thursday when a New York Supreme Court judge issued an injunction refusing a request to pull the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network's rights to broadcast Nationals games, according to The Washington Post.

The request was made by the Nationals and Major League Baseball. 

The Nationals moved from Montreal to Washington, which had previously been designated Orioles territory, in 2005. Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos agreed to give up territorial rights in exchange for the right to broadcast Nationals games on his network, MASN.

The Nationals currently own a 15 percent minority stake in the network, which will increase by one percent each year until it reaches 30 percent. 

Washington is seeking an increase in rights fees payments from the Orioles and MASN. The Nationals received $29 million in 2012, but the organization is asking for between $100 million and $120 million.

An MLB arbitration panel previously ruled in Washington's favor, but the Orioles argued they "had a legal right to challenge a ruling they viewed as subjective," according to the Post.

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- Dan Gartland