Bally Sports in Arizona will continue to carry Arizona Diamondbacks games for an undisclosed amount of time.
Diamond Sports, owner of the regional network, last week asked in South Texas bankruptcy court to dismiss its existing television contract with the D-backs, and announced Wednesday in a joint statement that the hearing would be adjourned.
“Diamond Sports Group and the Arizona Diamondbacks have decided to postpone tomorrow’s session due to ongoing and positive discussions to find a solution,” said David Brechlak, CEO of the Diamond Sports Group and Derrick Hall, President and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The statement happened by Arizona SportsAlex Weiner.
“During this time, Bally Sports in Arizona will continue to broadcast D-backs games and fans will have the same televised access they have been able to enjoy since the start of the season.”
The D-backs could renegotiate a new deal to stay at Bally Sports Arizona or have their game broadcasts taken over by Major League Baseball. The San Diego Padres, who were also under the Bally Sports umbrella, had already come under MLB broadcast control.
In February, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the league was ready to take over broadcasting games in the event that Diamond Sports could no longer operate as the rights holder.
“We’re ready no matter what happens with respect to Diamond to make sure the games are available to fans in their local markets,” Manfred said at Cactus League Media Day. “We think it will be linear in our traditional cable package and digital on our platforms, but that remains to be seen.”
A bankruptcy judge ruled on June 1 in favor of Major League Baseball against Diamond Sports, forcing the company to meet its end in contracts for the rights to broadcast MLB games. According to the newspaper, the Diamondbacks have been ordered to receive the full payment of $18 million Arizona Law.
After missing out on a $140 million interest payment, Diamond Sports Group, the company that operates the regional Bally Sports Networks, entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March.
Under Chapter 11, the company has frozen assets, allowing it to refinance and reorganize.
Bally Sports in Arizona also owns the rights to the Arizona Coyotes.
It’s also in a legal battle to retain the rights to the Phoenix Suns, which announced a new agreement before the end of their previous contract.
A judge ruled with Diamond Sports and said in May that the Suns’ new media deal with Gray Television and Kiswe was currently void. This is because Diamond Sports is still in bankruptcy.