Fox Sports CEO & Exec Producer Eric Shanks talked to THE DAILY about the net's new seven-year extension of its MLB deal that is worth $5.1B.
Q: Why do this deal three years before the current one ends?
Shanks: It provides predictability for New Fox. It puts a cap to an incredible year of setting up predictability for New Fox. With the commitment that this company has to live, premium sports, it really sets New Fox up as the leader in live sports for a long time to come.
Q: What is the New Fox strategy?
Shanks: The strategy is live, premium sports that capture the nation’s attention that have a real healthy mix of broadcast and cable. These are the jewel events that Major League Baseball has. Being able to make sure that you have those events that capture the nation’s attention and are the premier events with a partner -- that’s the key to the strategy.
Q: Does this provide a template for opening other rights deals early?
Shanks: You have to have two willing parties. Each deal will be unique depending on the circumstance. We can’t unilaterally say that we want to go early and start a process. Our partnerships with our cornerstone leagues have been there for a long time. You want to make sure that you have the predictability with those partners as much as possible.
