All articles tagged with #television rights
The NFL faces a multi-billion dollar antitrust lawsuit over its Sunday Ticket package, which restricts out-of-market game broadcasts to a single, expensive package. The plaintiffs argue this creates a monopoly, while the NFL claims it offers the best value for fans. The case, which could significantly impact sports television rights, is being heard in federal court in Los Angeles.
Fox will air nine Big Ten conference games on Friday nights this fall, featuring 12 different teams, with six squads playing twice. The matchups include former Rose Bowl battles, cross-country clashes, and reignited rivalries. The schedule also includes two Friday night Big 12 games and the Mountain West championship.
The NFL plans to auction off the rights to its 2024 Christmas games, with bidding likely to start at $50 million per game and potentially reach $100 million, given the high viewership numbers. This move reflects the seller's market in the industry, where networks may have to compete for the privilege to purchase games that were previously part of regular-season packages. The NFL's ability to attract massive live audiences continues to drive the high demand for its television rights.
A federal bankruptcy judge approved the Twins' contract with Bally Sports North for one more season, maintaining the status quo for fans in Minnesota to watch games through cable or satellite subscriptions. The one-year deal prohibits streaming games over the internet for a separate fee, disappointing the Twins who had hoped for a direct-to-consumer option. MLB is exploring an app for streaming games starting in 2025, and there's potential for Amazon to stream some teams' games later this summer. The Twins' future involvement in MLB's streaming option seems likely, while the financial details of the new contract remain under seal.
The ACC has amended its complaint against Florida State, seeking a permanent injunction to block FSU from participating in league affairs due to alleged breaches of contract related to television broadcast rights. The filing includes six claims for relief, including allegations of breaching fiduciary obligations and acting in bad faith. This legal battle comes amid FSU's exploration of exit options from the ACC, driven by concerns over revenue disparities compared to other power conferences and the recent snub from the 2023 College Football Playoff.
The NFL's expansion of international games could potentially lead to the creation of a weekly Sunday morning showcase game, with the league offering 10-15 games during the year. This would allow the NFL to sell a new television package and generate additional revenue. While the idea may face opposition from traditional networks, the potential financial benefits make it an attractive option for the league. Additionally, the increased international games would bring more competitive balance to the schedule and further the NFL's quest for worldwide domination.
NFL owners will vote on a proposal to increase the minimum number of international games from four to eight, potentially leading to a minimum of nine games played outside of the United States each year. This move aims to achieve competitive balance by ensuring all teams have eight true home games, eight true road games, and one neutral-site game. The expansion of international games could also create a lucrative broadcasting opportunity for networks or streamers.
The Pac-12 conference is undergoing significant changes as several schools, including USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington, are leaving for other conferences, leaving Oregon State and Washington State behind. The moves are primarily driven by television rights money, with conferences seeking access to larger markets and high-profile games. The realignment threatens to dissolve regional rivalries and the unique identities of college football programs built on their communities. The Pac-12, once a grand stage for West Coast college sports, is now reduced to the Pac-2, consisting of Oregon State and Washington State.
The upcoming expansion of the College Football Playoff to a 12-team format in the 2024 season has generated excitement and speculation about potential matchups. The current rankings, although irrelevant until the final selection, offer a glimpse into the hypothetical excitement that a 12-team playoff would bring. The expanded format would provide more games with playoff implications, a wider field of committed fan bases, and opportunities for Group of Five teams to compete for the national title. The anticipation for the improved playoff format is high, as it promises to deliver a more thrilling and inclusive postseason experience for college football fans.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has criticized European broadcasters for not meeting FIFA's demands for higher television rights fees for this summer's Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. He threatened that the tournament's matches would not be televised in many of Europe's biggest markets if the offers did not improve. The dispute risks overshadowing the biggest Women's World Cup yet, with little over two months to go until the start of the tournament. FIFA has expanded the event to 32 teams for the first time as a sign of its commitment to grow the women's game, and it has increased the prize money for players and the support money for participating teams to $150 million, a fivefold increase from the last tournament, which was held in France in 2019.