
Sixteen regional sports networks are swapping out sportsbook nameplates.
Bally Sports will be rebranded as FanDuel Sports Network on Oct. 21 in a deal announced by the US sports betting app market-share leader and Diamond Sports on Friday.
The terms of the deal were not divulged, but a release described it as a “broad, long-term commercial partnership.”
“Partnering with Diamond provides us an opportunity to put the FanDuel brand at the intersection of the nation’s largest group of regional sports networks,” FanDuel president Mike Raffensperger said in a release. “A large cohort of FanDuel customers are devoted RSN viewers, and this agreement allows us to further cement the FanDuel brand with sports fans and provides a unique vehicle to reward our users.”
Changes bettors/viewers will notice with FanDuel Sports Network pact:
- ‘FanDuel’ will replace ‘Bally’ on all 16 of Diamond’s regional sports networks and digital materials.
- FanDuel logos and commercials – “linear and digital media placement and integration opportunities” – will appear on all NBA, NHL, and MLB games on the network.
- A “shared commitment to explore a unified [direct-to-customer] app experience” could bring the FanDuel TV horse racing channel and other streaming shows to the app or FSN.
- FanDuel can sell Diamond streaming products, so they could appear in new places.
Said Diamond CEO David Preschlack: “This partnership reinforces opportunities to further strengthen the close connection our RSNs have with local fans, including enhancing our DTC offering for a growing digital audience. In the meantime, having finalized agreements with the NBA, NHL and our key distributors, we remain focused on moving our business forward and driving value for our team partners and our stakeholders.”
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FanDuel Lifeline for Diamond in Rough Patch
Sinclair-owned Diamond filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2023 after missing payments on its debt load, including a $140 million interest payment. Diamond’s financial woes quaked regional baseball coverage with network shutdowns and other providers pulling content from local TV screens.
Reports had Diamond hopeful of shedding upwards of 11 MLB teams, with NBA markets also in jeopardy. Court papers revealed that Diamond hopes to keep the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins broadcasts, however. The Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays are currently without regional broadcast outlets.
RSN’s that will be renamed FanDuel Sports Network:
- FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
- FanDuel Sports Network Florida
- FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes
- FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City
- FanDuel Sports Network Indiana
- FanDuel Sports Network Midwest
- FanDuel Sports Network North
- FanDuel Sports Network Ohio
- FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma
- FanDuel Sports Network SoCal
- FanDuel Sports Network South
- FanDuel Sports Network Southeast
- FanDuel Sports Network Southwest
- FanDuel Sports Network Sun
- FanDuel Sports Network West
- FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin