Disney could sell Fox regional sports networks in Murdoch

1:32 pm PDT 10/26/2018

by

Paul Bond

The scenario has always made sense, since the new Fox is supposed to be a sports and information-driven company.

The new Fox wants the 22 regional sports networks that 21st Century Fox sells to Walt Disney, and could outbid its competitors who are also looking to buy them, CNBC reported Friday, citing unnamed sources.

The scenario has always made sense, since Fox – the company that will make up the assets that will not be sold to Disney for $ 71 billion – is supposed to be a sports and information-driven society.

Disney's deal for the acquisition of the film and television studio, additional participation in Hulu, participation in Sky, Star India and some cable channels (with the exception of Fox News or Fox Business) also includes the RSN group, although regulators have told ESPN ownership.

Some people think that the RSN could reach $ 20 billion, but to achieve this noble goal, Disney may have to sell them piecemeal and prefer to divest them as a band, and do it quickly so as not to delay. the required regulatory approvals. transaction.

Because of these concerns, an offer from Fox on the entire collection might interest Disney rather than having to deal with private equity groups and other people likely to bid for a few chains here and there, said CNBC, citing people close to the case.

Disney and 21st Century Fox have not responded to a request for comment.

Rupert Murdoch named the remaining assets "Fox". In addition to Fox News and Fox Business, it will include the broadcast network and a group of wired sports networks, including FS1 and FS2, so the RSN is a great addition. Together they broadcast the games of 44 teams from the Major League Baseball League, the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association.

Murdoch and Fox will certainly have enough money to buy RSN since it sells most of the company to Disney for $ 19 billion more than it originally agreed to accept after Comcast launched an offer and caused a bidding war.

Disney has sent its offer to potential buyers only recently, so the official offers for RSN have not yet arrived, according to the same source. Sports Business Daily.