Fox Sports Networks (FSN) was a collection of regional sports cable television channels in the United States that operated under the Fox brand. The network group was launched in 1996 as part of Fox Television Stations' expansion into regional sports broadcasting and was owned by 21st Century Fox until its divestiture.
History and ownership
- 1996: Fox acquired a series of regional sports properties, consolidating them under the Fox Sports Net brand.
- 2000s: The suite expanded to include more than a dozen regional channels, each serving a specific metropolitan area or multi‑state region.
- December 2017: The Walt Disney Company announced its intent to acquire 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets, including Fox Sports Networks.
- June 2018: The U.S. Department of Justice required Disney to divest the regional sports networks to preserve competition in the sports broadcasting market.
- March 2019: Sinclair Broadcast Group, through its subsidiary Diamond Sports Group, purchased the Fox Sports Networks for $10.6 billion.
Rebranding
In November 2020, the channels were rebranded as Bally Sports following a naming‑rights partnership with Bally’s Corporation. The Bally Sports brand replaced the Fox Sports name on all former FSN outlets.
Former regional channels (selected examples)
- Fox Sports Arizona (now Bally Sports Arizona)
- Fox Sports Detroit (now Bally Sports Detroit)
- Fox Sports Midwest (now Bally Sports Midwest)
- Fox Sports New England (now Bally Sports New England)
- Fox Sports Ohio (now Bally Sports Ohio)
Programming
Fox Sports Networks primarily broadcast live local professional and collegiate sports events, including Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, and college football and basketball games. The networks also aired sports news, analysis, and original programming related to their respective markets.
Corporate status
After the 2020 rebranding, the Fox Sports Networks name ceased to be used commercially. The legal entities continue to operate under the ownership of Diamond Sports Group, which provides the Bally Sports brand and services.
References
- Sinclair Broadcast Group press releases (2019‑2020) detailing the acquisition and rebranding.
- U.S. Department of Justice antitrust filings regarding the Disney–Fox merger (2018).
- Industry reports on regional sports network market structure (e.g., Nielsen, 2021).