Sinclair Broadcast Group to rename sports channels after Bally’s casinos

[Fenway]

Like it of not - this is the future of TV sports


https://nypost.com/2020/11/18/sinclair-broadcasting-to-rename-sports-channels-after-ballys-casinos/

Bally’s, which owns Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino, will pay Sinclair $85 million over a 10-year period for the naming rights, giving it exclusive access to fans of 42 major teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Detroit Tigers, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Kansas City Royals, sources said.

The goal, sources said, is for viewers to eventually be able to bet on games using a Bally’s online gaming tool directly from their TVs.

Sinclair’s channels are currently named after Fox Sports because it bought them last year to help clear Disney’s purchase of 21st Century Fox.

The broadcast company will also get a 15 percent stake in the Nasdaq-listed Bally’s and will have the right to up its stake by another 15 percent if it hits certain financial targets, sources said.

Click to read more...

 

[IU Hawks fan]

That's an Onion headline if I've ever seen one.

 

[Ted Hoffman]

I figure as contracts come up, you'll see NHL teams leave for other channels. Granted, it's going to be difficult to go to something with a geographical reach like the Fox Sports regional networks already have, but I suspect if someone does something similar (CBS Sports? Hell, is this where ESPN jumps in and makes its presence felt?) it'll be a slow-rolling exodus.

 

[Lt Dan]

This could actually be a positive for many of us who's teams are carried by FSRNs. Sinclair is currently in deep shit after overpaying for those channels after Disney was forced to sell them . The pandemic and stoppage of sports/ shortening of seasons have meant far less game shown. Sinclair has been a horrible negotiator and being dropped by Dish Network, YTTV, Sling, Fubu and Hulu so far. There has been talk of debt restructuring because of this
Creditors Brace for Possible Debt Restructuring at Sinclair Sports Unit

I have not heard reports about how they are doing with cable companies. Anyone have any insight?
I could very well see this trend continuing with Spectrum, Cox, etc
But I could also see cable companies retaining these Fox RSNs to try to lure customers back who cut the cord.

I personally think that these networks might end up being forced to go the Disney +, CBS + , etc route of offering direct to consumer subscriptions or teams jumping ship and starting their own sports channels like the Dodgers and Lakers have in Los Angeles

 

[Fenway]

That's an Onion headline if I've ever seen one.

Except that it is true.

Xfinity has tested using Draft Kings software so customers with a X1 box can place bets in New Jersey and Pennslyvania simply by using the remote.

Twin River bought the Bally name earlier this month and just bought casinos in Illinois and Indiana ( Illinois casino was owned by Delaware North)

Massachusetts has been dragging its heels on allowing sports betting and the current bill would allow existing casinos or a sportsbook to partner with a pro team ( Red Sox - MGM Springfield, Patriots - Encore Boston and the Celtics/Bruins with Boston based Draft Kings ) and have a sportsbook at the venue.

No secret that Theo Epstein was not happy with the Cubs partnering with Sinclair and that may have hastened his departure from the Cubs.

 

[Lt Dan]

No secret that Theo Epstein was not happy with the Cubs partnering with Sinclair and that may have hastened his departure from the Cubs.

I was wondering why he left as was a friend of mine.

Do you have any details or articles on that? I am hoping to pass them on to him

TIA

 

[tarheelhockey]

Xfinity has tested using Draft Kings software so customers with a X1 box can place bets in New Jersey and Pennslyvania simply by using the remote.

Thinking forward a decade, I predict this all gets shut down when we see a massive wave of gambling addiction which hits virtually every corner of society. Imagine how many families are going to be left destitute because Dad spent the rent trying to catch up on bad football bets while the rest of the family was asleep.

 

[golfortennis]

Thinking forward a decade, I predict this all gets shut down when we see a massive wave of gambling addiction which hits virtually every corner of society. Imagine how many families are going to be left destitute because Dad spent the rent trying to catch up on bad football bets while the rest of the family was asleep.

I disagree. First and foremost, the tax revenue from this will keep that from happening. Secondly, you could make the same argument re: alcohol. Thirdly, you can bet nearly all over the world, and while I am sure there are some who have gotten themselves into trouble, what makes you think it will be any worse here than the UK for instance?

 

[tarheelhockey]

I disagree. First and foremost, the tax revenue from this will keep that from happening. Secondly, you could make the same argument re: alcohol. Thirdly, you can bet nearly all over the world, and while I am sure there are some who have gotten themselves into trouble, what makes you think it will be any worse here than the UK for instance?

Gambling is already regulated, so this is all an argument of degree.

The question is whether it’s really a good idea to make gambling available at the push of a button from your couch, built right into the TV itself. Not going to a website, not joining an office pool, not downloading an app, but actually a button pre-built into your remote control. Like the button a hospital gives you for the opium drip.

I suspect this stream of tax revenue will seem less enticing when the welfare applications start rolling in.

 

[Lt Dan]

Gambling is already regulated, so this is all an argument of degree.

The question is whether it’s really a good idea to make gambling available at the push of a button from your couch, built right into the TV itself. Not going to a website, not joining an office pool, not downloading an app, but actually a button pre-built into your remote control. Like the button a hospital gives you for the opium drip.

This is me more questioning to learn via arguing because I am not a gambler. I don't even know enough to be dangerous, but I have friends of friends that do

Doesn't that situation already exist with the offshore gaming?

I live in CA where sports betting is not legal, but I remember a friend doing an online bet when the Patriots were losing to the Falcons at halftime and winning a bunch of money

 

[tarheelhockey]

This is me more questioning to learn via arguing because I am not a gambler. I don't even know enough to be dangerous, but I have friends of friends that do

Doesn't that situation already exist with the offshore gaming?

I live in CA where sports betting is not legal, but I remember a friend doing an online bet when the Patriots were losing to the Falcons at halftime and winning a bunch of money

Your friend is a smart, smart man.

It’ll always be an issue at some level because of the internet. If people really want to gamble at a given moment they’ll find a way. I think marketing departments would agree that it makes a significant difference when that option is pro-actively put in people’s faces, like physically placed in their hand as a feature of their cable connection.

Basically the difference between legalizing alcohol and permitting it to be sold commercially, versus putting a faucet in your kitchen that dispenses liquor instead of water. People who otherwise would not gamble, or actively avoid it because they have a problem, a will be exposed to it damn near constantly. That has a broader social effect that the rest of us have to pay for in the end.

 

[Lt Dan]

Your friend is a smart, smart man.

It’ll always be an issue at some level because of the internet. If people really want to gamble at a given moment they’ll find a way. I think marketing departments would agree that it makes a significant difference when that option is pro-actively put in people’s faces, like physically placed in their hand as a feature of their cable connection.

I am bookmarking this and predicting that someone will bring the Amsterdam argument forward about this even tho I personally agree with your statement

 

[CanadianCoyote]

So when do we get to watch a game on Bally Sports Network broadcasted from Ball Arena? ;p

 

[golfortennis]

Your friend is a smart, smart man.

It’ll always be an issue at some level because of the internet. If people really want to gamble at a given moment they’ll find a way. I think marketing departments would agree that it makes a significant difference when that option is pro-actively put in people’s faces, like physically placed in their hand as a feature of their cable connection.

Basically the difference between legalizing alcohol and permitting it to be sold commercially, versus putting a faucet in your kitchen that dispenses liquor instead of water. People who otherwise would not gamble, or actively avoid it because they have a problem, a will be exposed to it damn near constantly. That has a broader social effect that the rest of us have to pay for in the end.

Not sure I am with you on whether it should be made illegal, but I do like your analogy. It is a tough one.

 

[MeHateHe]

Thinking forward a decade, I predict this all gets shut down when we see a massive wave of gambling addiction which hits virtually every corner of society. Imagine how many families are going to be left destitute because Dad spent the rent trying to catch up on bad football bets while the rest of the family was asleep.

Well, considering the high rates of functional alcoholism we have in our society - ask your friends sometime how many of this could stop drinking for a month, say - I would suggest the tolerance for addictive behaviour in North American society is already pretty high.

 

[mouser]

I disagree. First and foremost, the tax revenue from this will keep that from happening. Secondly, you could make the same argument re: alcohol. Thirdly, you can bet nearly all over the world, and while I am sure there are some who have gotten themselves into trouble, what makes you think it will be any worse here than the UK for instance?

Still can’t play poker online except in a handful of U.S. states, and most (all?) of those where it’s legal will only allow you to play against other players in the same state. Not in other states or around the world.

The whole expansion of legal online gambling in the U.S has been driven by which industries are paying their lobbyists the most, like we saw with Daily Fantasy Sports. As well as the established physical betting institutions trying to block other online gambling competitors as we see with poker and other table games.

p.s. Yes, I’m an avid poker player.

 

[TheLegend]

I worked for Bally's for a couple of years in the 80's. So my opinion may be biased here.....

But as I understand it.... Sinclair still owns the networks, they just sold the face for $85 million bucks.

 

[Fenway]

I worked for Bally's for a couple of years in the 80's. So my opinion may be biased here.....

But as I understand it.... Sinclair still owns the networks, they just sold the face for $85 million bucks.

Bally's was just sold to Twin River which started with 2 casinos in Rhode Island.

 

[Hooby Dooby Doo]

Panthers hockey on Bally Sports Network is provided by your local South Florida Ford Dealers.


Yeah it doesn't sound right.

 

[Fenway]

Panthers hockey on Bally Sports Network is provided by your local South Florida Ford Dealers.


Yeah it doesn't sound right.

Or Lightning hockey brought to you by Seminole Hard Rock

It looks like for NHL this will get dicey with

FOX Carolina, Fox Tennessee, Fox Midwest (Illinois region)

I understand MSG Network is looking for a partner for New York and New Jersey.

 

[Major4Boarding]

Or Lightning hockey brought to you by Seminole Hard Rock

I can see that for both the Panthers and the Lightning, since there's a Hard Rock in Ft Lauderdale. Question I have is, does this mean Fox Sports Florida and Sun finally become one?

 

[Fenway]

I can see that for both the Panthers and the Lightning, since there's a Hard Rock in Ft Lauderdale. Question I have is, does this mean Fox Sports Florida and Sun finally become one?

Doubtful - Both services have a MLB, NBA and NHL team as primary teams. The Tampa Bay Lightning, Miami Heat and Tampa Bay Rays are televised on Fox Sports Sun, while the Orlando Magic, Miami Marlins and Florida Panthers are televised on Fox Sports Florida. I expect nothing will change except the channel branding.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

A horrible, terrible company renaming their sports channels after a miserable casino company.

I love this country.

 

[golfortennis]

Or Lightning hockey brought to you by Seminole Hard Rock

It looks like for NHL this will get dicey with

FOX Carolina, Fox Tennessee, Fox Midwest (Illinois region)

I understand MSG Network is looking for a partner for New York and New Jersey.

Genuine question, why would it get dicey with those? Not sure I'm seeing it.

 

[KevFu]

People have this mental connection of "Gambling + Sports = Fixing + Scandal."

We saw it when the rumors of "NHL to Vegas?" were being discussed. People assumed that putting an NHL team in Vegas meant that the NHL was inevitably going to have game-fixing scandals teams throwing games left and right.

It's a ridiculous mental connection that we have as Americans, because the COMPANIES involved in gambling are no different than say, insurance companies (except the Sportsbooks will actually pay out! Hey-ohh!). Every sports fixing scandal has been the result of ILLEGAL sports gambling through shady third-party humans and not via a corporation. Companies don't break legs when you lose. Companies get the bet you place UP FRONT.

Whenever there is a sports fixing scandal in the US (extremely rare), the tip to the FBI to investigate usually comes FROM THE SPORTSBOOKS. It's their money that's being lost if there's a fix, so they have a vested interest in looking for odd gambling activities and trends. The Arizona State, Toledo, Tulane and Northwestern fixing scandals were all caught by Vegas sportsbooks.


This news isn't going to be a big deal for anyone. The leagues are just going to say "That's not our naming rights deal, we have nothing to do with it."