Disney has a "handshake agreement" with Sinclair to acquire the Fox RSNs, and paperwork for the deal is "being filed," according to Fox Business' Charlie Gasparino. The deal could be worth up to $10B for the 21 RSNs, but it is "not finalized." Sinclair is "looking for minority partners for the purchase of the RSNs," which could include The Blackstone Group and Apollo Global Management" ("Varney & Co.," Fox Business, 4/26). In N.Y., Kosman & Morgan report Amazon is "in talks to join" Sinclair in the bid. Sources said that Sinclair is "looking for Amazon's backing." A source said that the $10B value of the deal will include "minority stakes in the RSNs not owned by Fox." Sources added that while Sinclair has "already secured bridge financing for the deal, lenders are demanding" an additional $1B in equity. MLB may also "become a Sinclair minority equity partner" in the RSN bid. Sources said that Amazon is "looking to push aggressively into live sports." A source said that it is "possible Sinclair could close the deal and then sell down some of its stake in the RSNs to new partners like Amazon" (N.Y. POST, 4/26).
