Rogers Communication is "considering purchasing The Score sports network," according to a source cited by Bob Mitchell of the TORONTO STAR. The Score has been "rumoured to be up for sale for more than a year," and last September, it "was reported the asking price for Canada’s No. 3 cable sports provider" was C$200M. The stations would be the latest acquisition for Rogers; the company and Bell Media last week "completed their purchase of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment." Sources said that it "has become more and more expensive for independent sports television providers such as Score Media to operate in today’s climate with rights to events and highlight packages becoming more and more expensive." If Rogers does buy the Score, it "would be another network to showcase its sports properties like the Maple Leafs." The 24-hour sports network "doesn’t provide as much live broadcasting of sporting events as its major competitors but earlier this year, it signed a new deal to broadcast more NCAA football, basketball and hockey." The company also has "a growing digital division, which includes its popular Score Mobile app" (TORONTO STAR, 8/24).
