Sinclair Broadcast Group's American Sports Network could "stay alive with a change in management structure" despite reports over the weekend that it would "cease operations at the end of the month," according to Doug Smock of the CHARLESTON GAZETTE-MAIL.The new arrangement -- which includes "stronger, more diversified distribution -- may emerge in the coming week." Conference USA counts ASN as one of its TV partners, along with CBS Sports Network, ESPN and beIN Sports. ASN gives "more schools exposure in their home markets and elsewhere, through local over-the-air stations and cable outlets" (CHARLESTON GAZETTE-MAIL, 3/13). FTVLIVE.com's Scott Jones on Friday reported the staff of West Palm Beach-based ASN was "called together to a mandatory staff meeting and told their roles were eliminated." There had been "many questions around the national subchannel as well as their local sports coverage on Sinclair stations." Rumors are that "remaining operations and outstanding obligations" will be "picked up by Campus Insiders" (FTVLIVE.com, 3/10). In Norfolk, Ed Miller noted ASN has rights deals with 18 conferences. Old Dominion AD Wood Selig said that ASN's demise "highlights the need for schools to develop their own production capabilities for internet streaming of games." Miller noted ASN does "not pay the league a rights fee, but paid all production costs." Its main value was in "providing exposure to a wide broadcast TV audience" (Norfolk VIRGINIAN-PILOT, 3/11). In Tucson, Greg Hansen reported ASN's possible shuttering means it would be likely the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl will "move to a major carrier, perhaps the CBS Sports Network or something of that level" (TUCSON.com, 3/11).
