A's Unsure If Regular-Season Games Will Be Available On DirecTV

DirecTV Carries CSN California, Which Telecasts A's Games, But Hasn't Agreed To Carry Them

The A's are facing a "potentially major off-field issue," as officials are unsure whether the team's 145 televised regular-season games "will be available to hundreds of thousands of DirecTV subscribers in the Bay Area," according to John Ryan of the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS. DirecTV "could negotiate a deal to carry the games" on CSN California, but that is "hardly a lock amid tense negotiations between CSN and DirecTV over millions of dollars in rights fees." Earlier this month, the A's switched from CSN Bay Area to Sacramento-based CSN California, but DirecTV officials indicated that while they carry CSN California, they "haven't agreed to carry the games." DirecTV Dir or PR Robert Mercer said that CSN has "not made an offer regarding A's games." Mercer added that CSN "hasn't even officially notified DirecTV of the A's move." Ryan notes DirecTV's contract with CSN Bay Area ended December 31, and DirecTV has "sent notice of its intent to file for binding arbitration with the [FCC] over Comcast's demand for a 40[%] rate increase" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 2/24).