Bally Sports

The Bally Sports Regional NetworksBally Sports Regional Networks are a group of regional sports networks in the United States owned by Diamond Sports Group, a joint-venture company of the Sinclair Broadcast Group and Entertainment Studios. The group is branded after casino operator Bally's Corporation, which purchased its naming rights. Launched on March 31, 2021, the networks carry regional broadcasts of sporting events from various professional, collegiate and high school sports teams. Through 19 owned-and-operated networks and several other affiliates, Bally Sports programming is available to all or part of the 50 states, with the only notable lack of coverage existing in the Philadelphia media market and Northern California.
The networks were formerly known as Fox Sports Networks and operated by News Corporation for most of their existence. They were acquired by Diamond Sports from The Walt Disney Company in 2019, as Disney was required to divest them by the U.S. Department of Justice as a condition of their own acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
==History==
===Beginnings===
The networks of Bally Sports have a long history, with the origins of several of the networks dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, as affiliates of the Prime Network (and to a lesser degree SportsChannel). In 1996, News Corporation and Liberty Media (the owner of Prime Network) announced that the Prime Sports networks would be rebranded under the new "Fox Sports Net" brand; the Prime Sports-branded affiliates were officially relaunched as Fox Sports Net on November 1 of that year. In 1997, News Corp and Liberty Media also purchased a 40% stake in Cablevision's SportsChannel networks which led those networks being rebranded as part of Fox Sports Net in early 1998 and bringing the total number of owned or affiliate networks to 18. In the years that followed, a series of other acquisitions and launches of new networks (along with a few closures) resulted in 22 owned and operated networks.
===Acquisition by Diamond Sports Group from Disney===
On December 14, 2017, The Walt Disney Company announced their intent to acquire 21st Century Fox for $52.4 billion after the spin-off of certain businesses into a new entity (initially dubbed "new Fox", but ultimately named Fox Corporation). While the acquisition was originally slated to include Fox Sports' regional operations (which, presumably, would have been re-aligned with Disney's ESPN division), the Justice Department ordered that they be divested within 90 days of the completion of the acquisition due to the concentration of the market that ESPN would hold.
Sinclair Broadcast Group was mentioned as the most likely buyer for the other FSN networks, but would need the assistance of a private equity firm to help raise the cash needed for the purchase. The group's other sports properties included Stadium—a national sports network distributed via over-the-air digital television and internet streaming, Tennis Channel, as well as Marquee—a then-upcoming RSN devoted to the Chicago Cubs. 
On May 3, Sinclair officially announced that via its subsidiary Diamond Sports Group, it had agreed to purchase the networks for $10.6 billion, pending regulatory approval. At the same time, it was also revealed that Entertainment Studios would hold an equity stake in the company and serve as a "content partner".
The sale was completed on August 22, 2019 and included 21 of the 22 networks. The networks continued to temporarily use the Fox Sports branding under a transitional license agreement with Fox Corporation; Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley stated that there were plans to eventually rebrand them under either a new name, or to "partner with a brand who wants more exposure". There were also plans to increase non-event programming, and emphasis on sports betting in its programming.
Due to a clause in the original sale, Yankee Global Enterprises had a right of first refusal to purchase Fox's share in YES Network. On August 29, 2019, an investor group including the Yankees, Sinclair, Amazon, and The Blackstone Group purchased Disney's 80% stake in the network for $3.47 billion. Sinclair's share of the network is 20%.
FuboTV dropped the channels in January 2020,Sinclair’s Fox RSNs dropped by FuboTV - Sam Carp, SportsPro, 2 January 2020 and YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV followed in October 2020.YouTube TV Is Dropping Fox Regional Sports Nets, YES Network After Sinclair Standoff - Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 February 2020
===Partnership with Bally's===
On November 4, 2020, Sinclair took a $4.23 billion write-down on the FSN purchase.
On November 17, 2020, it was reported by Sportico that Sinclair was considering rebranding the networks via a naming rights agreement, and was reportedly in talks with multiple companies involved in sports betting. The next day, Sinclair announced that it had entered into an agreement with casino operator Bally's Corporation to acquire the naming rights under a 10-year deal. This agreement will include integration of Bally's content on the channels and other Sinclair properties (including its television stations, Stadium, and Tennis Channel), and a warrant giving Sinclair the option to acquire a 14.9% stake in Bally's Corporation, and up to 24.9% if performance criteria is met.
Sinclair announced in December 2020 that it plans to launch its own direct-to-consumer Bally's-branded streaming service, including live streaming of its linear sports networks, in 2021.
===Rebranding as Bally Sports===
On January 27, 2021, Sinclair announced that the networks would be rebranded as Bally Sports on March 31. Fox Sports Carolinas and Fox Sports Tennessee were discontinued, with any unique sports programming moved to the Bally Sports South and Southeast channels. To better reflect their target markets, Prime Ticket and SportsTime Ohio were also rebranded as Bally Sports SoCal and Bally Sports Great Lakes, respectively.
In preparation for the rebrand, new studio sets were constructed at all of FSN's outlets, while Drive Studio produced a new on-air graphics package for the networks (building upon work it had already done for Marquee). On-air graphics feature a new consistent scorebug in the bottom-left of the screen, which is combined into the ticker. Executive vice president Michael Connelly explained that the setup was designed to eventually allow for the integration of sports betting-related information such as lines and props.
On Opening Day, the newly-rebranded channels aired a joint special, Bally Sports Big Opening Day. It was produced by Stadium, hosted by Michael Kim, Bally Sports SoCal’s Kristina Pink and Bally Sports Southeast’s Eric Collins, and featured coverage of teams and events across Bally Sports and Sinclair's sports networks.
==Networks==
===Owned-and-operated===
Network 	Region served 	Formerlyoperated as 	Notes
Bally Sports Arizona 	ArizonaNew MexicoUtahSouthern Nevada 	Prime Sports Arizona (1996)Fox Sports Arizona (1996–2021) 	
Bally Sports Detroit 	MichiganNorthwestern OhioNortheastern IndianaNortheast Wisconsin 	Fox Sports Detroit (1997–2021) 	
Bally Sports Florida 	Florida 	SportsChannel Florida (1987–2000)Fox Sports Florida (2000–2021) 	
Bally Sports Great Lakes	OhioNorthwestern PennsylvaniaSouthwestern New Yorkparts of Kentucky & West Virginia 	SportsTime Ohio (2006–2021) 	
Bally Sports Indiana 	Indiana 	Fox Sports Indiana (2006–2021) 	Shares programming with sister network Bally Sports Midwest
Bally Sports Kansas City	Kansas City, MissouriKansas 	Fox Sports Kansas City (2008–2021) 	Kansas City Royals have a minority interest. Shares programming with sister network Bally Sports Midwest.
Bally Sports Midwest 	Missourisouthern IllinoisIowaNebraska 	Prime Sports Midwest (1989–1996)Fox Sports Midwest (1996–2021) 	St. Louis Cardinals have 30% equity stake. Shares programming with sister networks Bally Sports Indiana and Bally Sports Kansas City.
Bally Sports New Orleans	Louisiana 	Fox Sports New Orleans (2012–2021) 	Carries programming from sister network Bally Sports Southwest.
Bally Sports North 	MinnesotaWisconsinIowaNorth DakotaSouth Dakota 	Midwest Sports Channel (1989–2001)Fox Sports North (2001–2021) 	
Bally Sports Ohio 	OhioKentuckyEastern IndianaNortheastern PennsylvaniaSouthwestern New Yorkparts of West Virginia	SportsChannel Ohio (1989–1998)Fox Sports Ohio (1998–2021) 	Separate subfeeds exist for the Cincinnati and Cleveland markets with the Reds having partial ownership in the Cincinnati feed of the network.
Bally Sports Oklahoma 	Oklahoma 	Fox Sports Oklahoma (2008–2021) 	Carries programming from sister network Bally Sports Southwest.
Bally Sports San Diego 	San Diego 	Fox Sports San Diego (2012–2021) 	San Diego Padres have 20% equity stake. Carries programming from sister network Bally Sports SoCal.
Bally Sports SoCal 	Southern CaliforniaSouthern NevadaHawaii 	Fox Sports West 2 (1997–2006)Prime Ticket (2006–2021) 	
Bally Sports South 	GeorgiaAlabamaKentuckyMississippiNorth CarolinaSouth CarolinaTennessee 	SportSouth (1990–1996)Fox Sports South (1996–2021) 	Shares broadcast rights with sister network Bally Sports Southeast.
Bally Sports Southeast 	GeorgiaAlabamaMississippiSouth CarolinaTennesseeWestern North Carolina 	Turner South (1999–2006)SportSouth (2006–2015)Fox Sports Southeast (2015–2021) 	Shares broadcast rights with sister network Bally Sports South.
Bally Sports Southwest 	TexasArkansasnorthern Louisianaparts of New Mexico 	Home Sports Entertainment (1983–1994)Prime Sports Southwest (1994–1996)Fox Sports Southwest (1996–2021)	Texas Rangers have 10% equity stake.
Bally Sports Sun 	Florida 	Sunshine Network (1988–2004)Sun Sports (2004–2015)Fox Sports Sun (2015–2021) 	Shares broadcast rights with sister network Bally Sports Florida.
Bally Sports West 	Southern CaliforniaSouthern NevadaHawaii 	Prime Ticket (1985–1994)Prime Sports West (1994–1996)Fox Sports West (1996–2021) 	Los Angeles Angels have 25% equity stake.
Bally Sports Wisconsin 	Wisconsinwestern Upper Peninsula of Michiganeastern Minnesotanorthwestern IllinoisIowa 	Fox Sports Wisconsin (2007–2021) 	Carries some programming from sister network Bally Sports North. Brewers obtained minority interest in 2021.
===Affiliates===
Network 	Region served 	Formerlyoperated as 	Notes
AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh 	PennsylvaniaWest Virginiaparts of Maryland, Kentucky, and Ohio 	KBL Entertainment Network (1986–1994)Prime Sports KBL (1994–1996)Fox Sports Pittsburgh (1996–2011)Root Sports Pittsburgh (2011–2017) 	
AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain/Rocky Mountain West	ColoradoNew MexicoNevadaUtahWyomingparts of Arizona, California, Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota 	Prime Sports Network (1988–1990)Prime Sports Rocky Mountain (1990–1996)Fox Sports Rocky Mountain (1996–2011)Root Sports Rocky Mountain (2011–2017)	
Marquee Sports Network 	IllinoisIndianaIowaparts of Wisconsin 	 	Co-owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and Chicago Cubs.
Mid-Atlantic Sports Network 	MarylandWashington, D.C.DelawareNorth CarolinaVirginiaSouth Central Pennsylvaniaparts of West Virginia	 	
New England Sports Network 	Massachusettseastern and central ConnecticutMaineNew HampshireRhode IslandVermont 	 	
Root Sports Northwest 	WashingtonAlaskaMontanaOregonWestern Idaho 	Northwest Cable Sports (1988–1990)Prime Sports Northwest (1990–1996)Fox Sports Northwest (1996–2011) 	
YES Network 	New Yorknorthern New Jerseynortheast Pennsylvaniasouthern Connecticut 	 	Sinclair Broadcast Group has 20% ownership.
==Teams by network==
Network 	MLB 	NBA 	NHL 	Other 	Teams from neighboring networks(Availability may be limited)
Bally Sports Arizona 	Arizona Diamondbacks 	Phoenix Suns 	Arizona Coyotes 	Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) 	—
Bally Sports Detroit 	Detroit Tigers 	Detroit Pistons 	Detroit Red Wings 	Detroit Lions (NFL)* 	—
Bally Sports Florida 	Miami Marlins 	Orlando Magic 	Florida Panthers 	— 	—
Bally Sports Great Lakes 	Cleveland Indians 	— 	— 	Columbus Crew SC (MLS)Cleveland Browns (NFL)* 	—
Bally Sports Indiana 	— 	Indiana Pacers 	— 	Indiana Fever (WNBA) 	Cincinnati Reds (MLB) (Ohio)Detroit Pistons (Detroit)St. Louis Blues (Midwest) St. Louis Cardinals (Midwest)
Bally Sports Kansas City 	Kansas City Royals 	— 	— 	Sporting Kansas City (MLS) 	Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) (North)St. Louis Blues (NHL) (Midwest)Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) (Oklahoma)
Bally Sports Midwest 	St. Louis Cardinals 	— 	St. Louis Blues 	— 	Kansas City Royals (MLB) (Kansas City)Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) (North)Indiana Pacers (NBA) (Indiana)Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) (Southeast)Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) (Oklahoma)
Bally Sports New Orleans 	— 	New Orleans Pelicans 	— 	— 	Dallas Stars (Southwest)Texas Rangers (Southwest)
Bally Sports North 	Minnesota Twins 	Minnesota Timberwolves 	Minnesota Wild 	Minnesota Lynx (WNBA)Minnesota Vikings (NFL)*Minnesota United FC (MLS)	—
Bally Sports Ohio 	Cincinnati Reds 	Cleveland Cavaliers 	Columbus Blue Jackets 	Columbus Crew SC (MLS) 	—
Bally Sports Oklahoma 	— 	Oklahoma City Thunder 	— 	— 	Dallas Stars (Southwest)Texas Rangers (Southwest)St. Louis Cardinals (Midwest)
Bally Sports San Diego 	San Diego Padres 	— 	— 	— 	Anaheim Ducks (SoCal)Los Angeles Clippers (SoCal)Los Angeles FC (SoCal)
Bally Sports SoCal 	Los Angeles Angels† 	Los Angeles Clippers 	Anaheim DucksLos Angeles Kings† 	Los Angeles Rams (NFL)*Los Angeles FC (MLS) 	—
Bally Sports South 	Atlanta Braves 	— 	Carolina HurricanesNashville Predators	Atlanta Dream (WNBA) Atlanta United FC (MLS) 	Cincinnati Reds (MLB) (Ohio)Indiana Pacers (NBA) (Indiana)New Orleans Pelicans (NBA) (New Orleans)St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) (Midwest)
Bally Sports Southeast 	Atlanta Braves 	Atlanta HawksCharlotte HornetsMemphis Grizzlies	— 	Atlanta Dream (WNBA) Atlanta United FC (MLS) 	St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) (Midwest)
Bally Sports Southwest 	Texas Rangers 	Dallas MavericksSan Antonio Spurs 	Dallas Stars 	— 	Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) (Southeast)Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) (Oklahoma)
Bally Sports Sun 	Tampa Bay Rays 	Miami Heat 	Tampa Bay Lightning 	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)* 	—
Bally Sports West 	Los Angeles Angels 	Los Angeles Clippers† 	Anaheim Ducks†Los Angeles Kings 	— 	—
Bally Sports Wisconsin 	Milwaukee Brewers 	Milwaukee Bucks 	— 	— 	Minnesota Wild (NHL) (North)Minnesota United FC (MLS) (North)
Affiliates 	Affiliates 	Affiliates 	Affiliates 	Affiliates 	Affiliates
AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh 	Pittsburgh Pirates 	— 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	— 	—
AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain	Colorado Rockies 	Utah Jazz 	Vegas Golden Knights 	— 	—
Marquee Sports Network 	Chicago Cubs 	— 	— 	— 	—
Mid-Atlantic Sports Network 	Baltimore OriolesWashington Nationals	— 	— 	— 	—
New England Sports Network 	Boston Red Sox 	— 	Boston Bruins 	— 	—
Root Sports Northwest 	Seattle Mariners 	— 	Seattle Kraken 	Seattle Seahawks (NFL)*Portland Timbers (MLS) 	—
YES Network 	New York Yankees 	Brooklyn Nets 	— 	New York City FC (MLS)New York Liberty (WNBA) 	—
team-related shows and/or replays only
†occasional games
==See also==
*Bally Sports app
==References==
==External links==
*
Category:NHL broadcasters