The Bally Sports Conundrum
Edition #81
INTRO:
Bally Sports got pulled by Comcast.
There was a very interesting article by
last week. The NBA is in the market for a new TV deal. We ALL know about the NFL and it’s Peacock game controversy. And regional sports networks and baseball have just been annoying.Does that annoying end after Bally got pulled?
The answer is unknown.
Today, we’re going to talk about the streaming issues in the sports world. Let’s get it.
Streaming
If you remember, there was a huge controversy over the Peacock game in the NFL. That controversy has begun in the NBA as we hear that the NBA is planning to look for a new deal. Along with Jacob,
had an amazing article too talking about the NBA so if you haven’t checked those out already, I recommend you to.Well, if the NFL and NBA are getting into some kind of problem, then the MLB is pretty sad and lonely without none. Hence, they cued Comcast and they got the MLB back into the NFL and NBA’s circle! Woohoo!
Why did Comcast pull Bally? Well, Comcast wanted to put Bally on a higher-priced tier. Bally said no. Because they couldn’t reach a deal by the deadline of May 1st… Well, Comcast pulled them.
Diamond Sports, the parent company of Bally Sports, sent out a letter to many subscribers talking about this “situation”. And, no, I shouldn’t put that word in quotes because it really is a situation… It left thousands of people in Michigan to not watch their sports teams. Imagine the other and more populated states…
"Comcast Xfinity recently pulled the plug on our networks despite our best efforts to reach a mutually beneficial distribution deal," Diamond's letter says. "Their refusal to broadcast games while we continue the conversation is disappointing for many reasons, but above all because it hurts you, the fans, and the sports media industry at large. We appreciate that sports rights are confusing – and the industry is evolving in a way that is not always prioritizing the fans." (freep.com)
Oh and let’s go back to what I said about the high-tier thing. Well, Bally’s letter elaborated a bit more on that too.
"Bottom line, Xfinity’s current proposal will immediately put Bally Sports on a tier requiring you to pay more to see your favorite teams," Diamond's letter says. "This matter is not an attempt to ask Xfinity for more money. In fact, we are just asking them to accept market terms, similar to what Charter Spectrum, Cox Communications, DirecTV and DirecTV STREAM all did just last month." (freep.com)
Diamond, is trying to get multiple deals locked up, not for extra money.
It’s because they need money.
Why did Bally lose the Diamondbacks and the Padres last season to the MLB? They filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and needed the MLB to help out. In January though, a BIG company tried to save Bally Sports.
Amazon said it would partner with Bally to carry its channels. The problem is, that it hasn’t exactly been approved yet.
Well, if Diamond released a statement then Comcast obviously has to refute it. Here is theirs.
"Bottom line, Xfinity’s current proposal will immediately put Bally Sports on a tier requiring you to pay more to see your favorite teams," Diamond's letter says. "This matter is not an attempt to ask Xfinity for more money. In fact, we are just asking them to accept market terms, similar to what Charter Spectrum, Cox Communications, DirecTV and DirecTV STREAM all did just last month." (freep.com)
Have they though? Who do we trust?
I would say, trust Bally.
Look, they may be embarrassed that they’re applying for bankruptcy and all, but they’ve already gone through one of the most embarrassing stages. Give the MLB two teams and these are some of the best teams they have on the network. You might disagree with me about embarrassment, but no one wants their brand ruined.
Of course, if you still want to argue with me, then you would say that no one wants their reputation super bad. Well, what the hell does Bally have to lose? The company is sinking anyway.
Bally was right. They were completely fine with the new tier and Comcast should’ve gone with it. By trying to make Bally on the higher-priced tier, they lost the extra $8-10 at least 5 months before Bally was going to die officially.
This deal doesn’t just affect baseball (although it affects baseball the most). Basketball and hockey are affected too. Going back to Michigan, the Pistons and the Red Wings would be affected. Both of these teams would be spit out by national TV meaning that for people who have Comcast Xfinity, there would be no. way to watch Detroit.
This is just a stupid thing that’s happened to all Comcast Xfinity Cable users and a stupid thing to happen to all fans. Comcast has made a huge mistake and hopefully, they can figure something out soon, or else this may create a huge crisis and loss for the cable company which is something they don’t want to have.
Conclusion
Agree with me? Disagree with me? Write it in the comments below!
I know this was news from a while back, but I was only able to finish writing it today, so forgive me.
Alright then, see y’all later!