- 11/11/2024 4:53:37 PM
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After a full year of mounting fan frustration and ongoing contract uncertainties with their television broadcasts on Bally Sports Southwest, the Texas Rangers are reportedly stepping up to the plate with a bold move. The team is contemplating the launch of its very own regional sports network (RSN) to streamline and enhance the broadcasting of their games.
With the Rangers' existing contract with Bally owner Diamond Sports Group set to expire at the conclusion of the 2024 season, significant changes are on the horizon. The team is currently weighing its broadcasting options, which include:
Despite Diamond Sports Group offering a competitive rights fee to retain the Rangers, the team turned it down. Neil Leibman, the Rangers' President of Business Operations, emphasized the need for a wider reach: “We have a five-state territory, 16.5 million households, and only 16% — a little over 2 million people — can watch our games. We have to fix that.”
Creating a team-controlled regional sports network stands out as the most ambitious option for the Rangers, as reported by the Sports Business Journal. Although no definitive agreements have been established yet, an RSN would empower the Rangers with greater control over their broadcasts, potentially leading to increased revenue in the long run.
Earlier this month, Diamond Sports Group revealed in a bankruptcy hearing that, come 2025, it will only be able to carry one of the twelve MLB teams it previously broadcasted in 2024, unless new agreements are formed with the remaining clubs. Notably, the Rangers, along with the Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, and Minnesota Twins, will see their current deals expire after the 2024 season.
Should the Rangers proceed with launching their own RSN, it would align them with recent moves made by other Dallas teams, such as the Mavericks and the Stars. Both franchises have left Bally Sports Southwest, opting to create their own broadcasting platforms or partner with different broadcasters.
As the Rangers look toward the future, the landscape of sports broadcasting continues to evolve, and fans are eager to see how these changes will enhance their viewing experience.
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