What’s the Latest On FanDuel Sports Network?

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Buy Me a Coffee!

TV Answer Man, is there anything new with the FanDuel Sports Network? Will they go out of business? If so, when? – Todd, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Todd, FanDuel Sports Network, the regional sports networks (RSNs) owned by Main Street Sports Group, is basically running out the clock now. However, unlike a sports team that runs out the clock, FanDuel Sports Network is losing badly and seems to have no way of turning it around.

Sports Business Journal reports that the RSN company is likely to shutter when the NBA and NHL seasons end in April. After nine MLB teams decided recently to exit their partnerships with FanDuel Sports Network, there’s little reason for it to continue after April.

What Is DAZN Doing Now?
SBJ also reports that DAZN, the global sports distributor which once considered buying FanDuel Sports Network, is now negotiating separately to buy the regional TV rights to the 20 NHL and NBA teams now part of FanDuel. However, that effort is seen as a long shot because DAZN is requesting the teams take a reduced fee for the rights. They will have to compare the DAZN offer to what they could get by having their games streamed by the league.

Bottom Line: FanDuel Sports Network is now dead company walking and the likelihood is that most (if not all) of the teams that once were part of its network will soon be part of a league-run streaming initiative.

Will This Kill the Regional Sports Network?
This does not mean the end of the regional sports network. The Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs and Dodgers continue to operate RSNs quite profitably along with a few others.

Todd, I hope that answers your question. Happy viewing and stay safe!

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