Texas Rangers Closing In On 2024 TV Deal As Bally Bankruptcy Nears Resolution
The Texas Rangers have a one-year deal with Diamond Sports Group for its 2024 broadcast rights, according to reports. That means their games will be broadcast locally on Bally Sports Southwest for at least one more season.
The Athletic reported on Friday that the Rangers, the Cleveland Guardians, and the Minnesota Twins are expected to have one-year deals with DSG this coming season.
Those three teams were the remaining three teams DSG was attempting to reach a settlement with for next season as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case. DSG was also attempting to drop them if they were unable to reach a deal.
The next hearing in this process is set for Feb. 9.
“The Rangers plan no public comment at this time,” the Rangers said in a statement. “There is a hearing scheduled for Feb. 9 where the bankruptcy judge would rule on the approval of any potential 2024 Rangers-Diamond agreement. But until there is a final resolution and clarity, we will have no comment.”
What isn’t clear is whether the Rangers will receive the $ 111 million expected for 2024. That’s part of the Rangers’ 20-year, $3 billion deal with Fox Sports Southwest in 2010. DSG bought the Fox regional networks in 2019.
During bankruptcy proceedings, DSG expected to get out of the regional sports game entirely after 2024. Now, Amazon is expected to try and invest in the space, but only after DSG is able to settle its bankruptcy.
Amazon is expected to invest $115 million in DSG and it would form a new company to manage DSG’s assets. Whether that means the Rangers’ rights will remain with DSG beyond 2024 is unclear.
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