Shortly after the All-Star Game in July 2023, the Arizona Diamondbacks switched broadcast partners.
Because of financial issues with Diamond Sports Group, which owned Bally Sports Arizona at that time, the Diamondbacks had Major League Baseball take over their broadcasts. It was a rare in-season broadcast switch for a sports team.
Advertisement
Cullen Maxey, who is the Royals’ president of business operations, was with the Diamondbacks in a similar role at that time. He said Saturday that MLB eventually could take over Royals broadcasts if the company that owns FanDuel Sports KC goes out of business.
But the Royals’ first option is to remain on FanDuel Sports KC this year. There is one big condition.
“Our plan with them is to stick with our partners, as long as they can convince us that there will not be a risk of an interruption during our season on bringing our games to our fans. That’s the most important thing,” Maxey said. “They have actually done a great job, and I think it’s documented, of expanding our reach and throughout our television territory.
Advertisement
“They’ve also had a successful launch of our direct-to-consumer product, and that has been very well received as things continue to go in that direction and in the way people consume our games. So we would like to stick with them, but we do need to feel very stable that there will be no interruptions during the season, and that decision will come soon. If we do pivot from FanDuel Sports Network, we’ll be going to Major League Baseball.”
Should MLB take over Royals broadcasts, there would be no change for fans, who would be able to watch on cable or stream games.
But Main Street Sports Group, which owns the FanDuel Sports Network, reportedly could go out of business in a matter of weeks unless it can work out a merger with DAZN.
Advertisement
That’s why the Royals terminated their TV deal with Main Street Sports in early January, despite hoping to sign a restructured deal that keeps games on FanDuel Sports KC.
The Royals were one of nine teams to terminate broadcast deals with Main Street Sports. Those other teams are the Cardinals, Tigers, Rays, Angels, Braves, Reds, Marlins and Brewers.
The Sports Business Journal’s Tom Friend reported the MLB teams don’t plan to return to Main Street Sports Group. Should that happen, it likely would torpedo any chance of a Main Street Sports deal with DAZN.
Advertisement
“As of Thursday night, sources were convinced those nine teams were resigned to permanently opt out, considering the baseball season begins in 58 days and due to ongoing skepticism about Main Street’s viability after it emerged just a year ago from Chapter 11 bankruptcy,” Friend wrote.
But the Royals seem eager to stick with Main Street and FanDuel Sports KC.
The Royals, however, want an assurance there won’t be a midseason disruption. Maxey doesn’t want a repeat of what happened with the Diamondbacks.
Advertisement
“My plan is not to do it in one day like it was forced on us in Arizona,” Cullen said. “It’s probably coming before spring training starts. That gives us plenty of time and everything is already in place, so it’s just a matter of making that decision.”
Spring training starts Feb. 10.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source ca.sports.yahoo.com ’
