In a recent filing regarding preparing for “New Fox,” it was revealed that Fox does not intend to buy back the regional sports networks that Disney will have to sell as part of the deal to get approval of their acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
From the Filing:
FOX confirms that it does not intend to bid for any of the Fox regional sports networks that Disney (or any entity operating on its behalf) may sell as required by the consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Background:
- Disney will be requiring a slate of 22 regional sports networks as part of their acquisition of 21st Century Fox
- In order to get approval from the U.S. Department of Justice, Disney agreed to sell the networks soon after the acquisition is complete
- Disney has been trying to solicit bids in order to comply with the agreement and help pay for the larger acquisition
- In November, Fox Chairman Lachlan Murdoch said that it had not yet been decided if they will try and repurchase the sports networks for new Fox which will be what remains of 21st Century Fox that Disney is not purchasing
List of Regional Sports Networks:
- Fox Sports Arizona
- Fox Sports Carolinas
- Fox Sports Detroit
- Fox Sports Florida
- Fox Sports Sun
- Fox Sports Indiana
- Fox Sports Kansas City
- Fox Sports Midwest
- Fox Sports New Orleans
- Fox Sports North
- Fox Sports Oklahoma
- Fox Sports Ohio
- Fox Sports SportsTime Ohio
- Fox Sports San Diego
- Fox Sports South
- Fox Sports Southeast
- Fox Sports Southwest
- Fox Sports Tennessee
- Fox Sports West
- Fox Sports PrimeTicket
- Fox Sports Wisconsin
- YES