Last May, Comcast dropped the regional sports networks (RSNs) Bally Sports from its lineup. According to Bally Sports, Comcast wanted to move the network to a more expensive package. This move could result in Bally Sports not being able to move forward.
The news that Bally Sports was dropped by Comcast was quickly followed by reports that the two companies had ended talks. Now Diamond Sports Gorup the parent company of Bally Sports said today in a court hearing that it expects to have a contract with Comcast in the very near term.
This comes as Bally Sports needs to find a way forward before a hearing about its bankruptcy. Something many think will not be possible without a deal with Comcast.
“We believe that we have made substantial progress on resolving our issues with Comcast, and we have the intention of fully documenting and executing an agreement with Comcast to broadcast our RSNs in the very near term,” Diamond attorney Brian Hermann said in court, alluding to Diamond’s regional sports networks according to a report from ESPN.
Last month MLB, NHL, and the NBA said in court they worry about Comcast harming Bally Sports’ plans to restructure and exit bankruptcy. MLB went as far as to say that Bally Sports has been “an undependable partner” and that Comcast dropping Bally Sports has hurt the MLB, according to Bloomberg. This has forced the MLB to set up an alternate broadcast option for Comcast subscribers by offering a partnership for discounted Fubo for a few months.
NHL attorney Shana Elberg said the league needs answers now about the future of Bally Sports RSNs. “We have told the debtors unequivocally that we need to get clarity on certain outstanding matters this week,” she said according to the StarTribune.
The NBA attorney also raised real questions about the future of Bally Sports if a deal with Comcast is not reached. “Without a Comcast deal, [Bally Sports] may very well not be able to survive,” said Vincent Indelicato. “We simply cannot wait much longer” to find out.
Now the questions are can Bally Sports survive without Comcast or will Bally Sports accept Comcast’s demands.
Reportedly Comcast wants to move Bally Sports to a more expensive TV package like what it has done with other RSNs. Now the questions are will Bally Sports accept that and will it be enough to help it find a way out of bankruptcy.