Jeremy Laura: Bally update before the update. ESPN parent co stock not so good

Jeremy, Here's some other recent news in the world of sports programming streaming.

Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls and co-owner (with Rocky Wirtz, the Blackhawks owner) of the United Center where the Bulls and Hawks play, recently became majority owner of a sports streaming site named the Stadium Network. He acquired Bally's share of Stadium Network for an undisclosed amount possibly due to Bally's financial issues.

I never heard of Stadium Network until today. I read that Reinsdorf was involved in its founding several years ago and held a minority stake until this purchase.

Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox games are currently televised on NBC Sports Chicago. This broadcasting deal ends in 2024. There is speculation that Reinsdorf may start his own network to broadcast the baseball and basketball games. I think maybe he will team up with Wirtz since they have that United Center relationship.

It will be interesting to see how the Blackhawk broadcasts pan out after 2024, especially with Bedard on board. Will they broadcast the games on linear TV or go to a streaming site to make fans pay to watch Bedard?

Jeremy, Here's some other recent news in the world of sports programming streaming.

Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls and co-owner (with Rocky Wirtz, the Blackhawks owner) of the United Center where the Bulls and Hawks play, recently became majority owner of a sports streaming site named the Stadium Network. He acquired Bally's share of Stadium Network for an undisclosed amount possibly due to Bally's financial issues.

I never heard of Stadium Network until today. I read that Reinsdorf was involved in its founding several years ago and held a minority stake until this purchase.

Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox games are currently televised on NBC Sports Chicago. This broadcasting deal ends in 2024. There is speculation that Reinsdorf may start his own network to broadcast the baseball and basketball games. I think maybe he will team up with Wirtz since they have that United Center relationship.

It will be interesting to see how the Blackhawk broadcasts pan out after 2024, especially with Bedard on board. Will they broadcast the games on linear TV or go to a streaming site to make fans pay to watch Bedard?
- boilermaker100

That is a beautiful add, thank you for that. What may (or may not) have happened is similar to the old Website sale model. Stadium Network may have been constructed via paper to have the name, framework, entity type etc ready for what was a very smart heads up. The streaming model that Comcast/Universal(NBC) are moving to is intentionally under priced. Have actually heard of a new service priced at $20 per month that will have all of Comcast/Universal (that they will pull their content from Hulu after Disney is forced to buy). That could merge with peacock, just as Hulu is (at this point) going to be a part of Disney+ after next January. By building the framework they had years to build the network without the pressures of the high level teams while glitches are addressed. Comcast in the meantime emptied the local facilities and stream via internal fiber that either goes to the end user who has fiber or is converted to coaxial delivery in places where the Fiber (very expensive) upgrade isn’t done. Chicago may be a very good business model for constructing a new distribution, or even a potential partner for Detroit.

That is a beautiful add, thank you for that. What may (or may not) have happened is similar to the old Website sale model. Stadium Network may have been constructed via paper to have the name, framework, entity type etc ready for what was a very smart heads up. The streaming model that Comcast/Universal(NBC) are moving to is intentionally under priced. Have actually heard of a new service priced at $20 per month that will have all of Comcast/Universal (that they will pull their content from Hulu after Disney is forced to buy). That could merge with peacock, just as Hulu is (at this point) going to be a part of Disney+ after next January. By building the framework they had years to build the network without the pressures of the high level teams while glitches are addressed. Comcast in the meantime emptied the local facilities and stream via internal fiber that either goes to the end user who has fiber or is converted to coaxial delivery in places where the Fiber (very expensive) upgrade isn’t done. Chicago may be a very good business model for constructing a new distribution, or even a potential partner for Detroit.
- Jeremy Laura

Stadium Network is not just a paper entity. I believe they have some contracts with the lesser NCAA football conferences to televise games.

I now you love this subject and have done a lot of research on the topic. If you haven't seen these, here are links to recent articles on the Reinsdorf Stadium Network deal and the future of the sports streaming landscape.

https://www.startribune.c...sdorf-randball/600278758/

https://www.startribune.c...ns-mlb-nfl-nba/600278266/

Stadium Network is not just a paper entity. I believe they have some contracts with the lesser NCAA football conferences.

I now you love this subject and have done a lot of research on the topic. If you haven't seen these, here are links to recent articles on the Reinsdorf Stadium Network deal and the future of the sports streaming landscape.

https://www.startribune.c...sdorf-randball/600278758/

https://www.startribune.c...ns-mlb-nfl-nba/600278266/
- boilermaker100

I apologize. My intention was to say that they first incorporated, then built a framework of broadcasting lower profile (than MLB, NHL etc) teams and got a platform fully prepared to separate from what was already happening post merger in terms of monetization models and near monopoly standing. If you remember the merger with Comcast/NBC it was actually debated in the house and senate. I worked in an office in Dearborn when that was going on. I didn’t mean in any way to say that it wasn’t up and now prepared, but you are absolutely right to make sure that I’m on the correct path. Thank you so much for clarifying and for allowing me to do the same. It is truly appreciated.

I apologize. My intention was to say that they first incorporated, then built a framework of broadcasting lower profile (than MLB, NHL etc) teams and got a platform fully prepared to separate from what was already happening post merger in terms of monetization models and near monopoly standing. If you remember the merger with Comcast/NBC it was actually debated in the house and senate. I worked in an office in Dearborn when that was going on. I didn’t mean in any way to say that it wasn’t up and now prepared, but you are absolutely right to make sure that I’m on the correct path. Thank you so much for clarifying and for allowing me to do the same. It is truly appreciated.
- Jeremy Laura

No need to apologize. All is good. I misinterpreted your comment.

No need to apologize. All is good. I misinterpreted your comment.
- boilermaker100

No worries! I am so glad for the links. I am having to learn a lot on the fly and you went out of your way to help in that. I’m constructing and deconstructing timelines of how a franchise can go on its own in terms of broadcast. The options feel infinite, then you find out that former platforms were destroyed or are incapable of simple upgrades. It’s a lot and Chicago handled its business. Detroit now sits west of MSG, South of MLS and East of this outlet. That’s 3 potential partnerships or at the very least 3 brands that have evolved to be able to broadcast in demanded formats. I heard an analyst say that it seems like 4K is the final “popular” tier for a while. 8k upgrades seem to be out of reach for too many people. Would be nice to stabilize for a while