The D-Backs’ new deal with Fox Sports Arizona is believed to be "for 20 years and guarantees the club" more than $1.5B as well as "an equity stake in the network," according to Nick Piecoro of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. D-Backs President & CEO Derrick Hall called the deal a financial "game-changer." But he added that it “won't effect the way the club spends in the immediate short-term.” Hall: “Our budget is our budget. We were already spending money assuming this deal would get done and it took a little longer than we thought it would. Our plans were already in place and that included this nice bump, this nice lift.” He added, “It puts us on par with a lot of our colleagues.” Hall said of whether the franchise can become big spenders as a result of the deal, “No, we really can't.” He said that the increased rights fees “don't kick in until next year.” Hall also said that the club “considered launching” its own RSN but “ultimately decided it preferred to remain” with FS Arizona (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/23). Hall: “It made sense for us to remain with Fox. They've been great partners. In fact we believe so much in Fox that we got creative through the process in finding other ways to make this deal more lucrative, to partner with them.” He added, “They wanted to be our partner, we wanted them, they're very good at what they do” (MLB.com, 2/22).
