Nashville Predators agree to local broadcast deal with Scripps for next season
The Preds are the fifth team to join up with a Scripps affiliate.
The Preds are the fifth team to join up with a Scripps affiliate.
The network is also currently in Year 3 of five with the NWSL.
The channel will air exclusive PWHL matches and simulcast Ion properties including the NWSL.
JP Dellacamera and Jill Loyden return as the network's top broadcasting team.
"Scripps’ board determined that Sinclair’s unsolicited acquisition proposal is not in the best interests of Scripps and its shareholders."
Teams leaving RSNs for over-the-air in other leagues have taken substantial revenue decreases.
Scripps' Ion has a sizeable portfolio of sports rights.
The deal would have major sports implications.
The competition will air on Ion from October 28 through November 2.
Clark helped deliver Ion's second most-watched WNBA game ever, and ABC's fourth most-watched.
Friday's Fever-Wings game, which Clark sat out for injury, averaged 1.14 million viewers.
The union asked to be included in upcoming media rights negotiations, but were not involved in the WNBA's recent renewal with Ion.
Lightning games will air on a newly launched Scripps-owned affiliate.
"We’re proud that women’s sports have found a home on ION."
"Our long-term expectation is we are going to be the home for the WNBA across the entire country for every game on Fridays."
The Aces' regional games are moving from Gray networks to Scripps' Vegas 34.
ION named sports broadcasting veterans Seb Salazar and Kylen MIlls to lead their studio coverage in year two of broadcast the NWSL.
In the 2024 regular season, both ESPN and ION saw huge ratings increases with many games exceeding one million viewers.
The WNBA and NWSL broadcasts on ION will have a brand new studio for their weekly coverage as their women's sports investment grows.
The WNBA ratings rise is about more than just Clark.
The Florida Panthers are bailing on cable.
The WNBA is smashing records on Ion.
The Coyotes' broadcast plans in both Utah and Arizona have become clear.