Dec 18, 2023
Amazon could be set to acquire its largest set of live sports rights yet.
The streamer is in talks to invest in the bankrupt regional sports network operator Diamond Sports Group, according to The Wall Street Journal. DSG, which is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, currently carries games via its Bally Sports-branded channels for more than 40 teams across MLB, the NBA and NHL, and a deal with Amazon would eventually put those broadcasts on Prime Video. It is unclear how much money Amazon would invest or what size equity stake it would acquire, but DSG has received support from key creditors to proceed with the talks.
How Did We Get Here?
In March, DSG filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Since then, missed payments and other financial issues have caused DSG’s rights deals with the Arizona Coyotes, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, San Diego Padres, Utah Jazz, and Atlantic Coast Conference to end. Most recently, DSG has been working with MLB on a deal to retain 2024 game broadcasts for as many as 11 other teams. DSG’s future in sports broadcasting was already growing increasingly uncertain, as its NBA deals are set to expire after this season.
Source: Front Office Sports