Bally Sports Bankruptcy Impacts Texas Rangers Bottom Line, Spending

Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young said the bankruptcy of Bally Sports' parent company has an impact on the club, but maintains the resources are available to sign free agents.

The Texas Rangers are defending World Series champions, but they still have roster needs.

General manager Chris Young said he has the financial resources to attract depth for the starting rotation and add to the bullpen. But will the club's broadcast television rights issues with Bally Sports' parent company Diamond Sports Group, limit Young's checkbook?

"There’s an impact on the organization; there’s uncertainty about what the rights fees are and will be going forward," Young said Thursday. "We obviously have a responsibility to be financially prudent. That said, ownership has been amazing with the resources they’ve provided us and are continuing to provide us, and we expect to be active in free agency."

During a court appearance two weeks ago, it was suggested that DSG might drop its rights for the Rangers and Cleveland Guardians as a cost-cutting move to help navigate out of bankruptcy. The Rangers earned $111 million from its Bally's deal in 2023 compared to the Guardians' $55 million.

The Rangers' 20-year deal with Bally Sports, which bought out the rights from Fox Sports, started in 2011. If DSG drops the Rangers, the club will retain its broadcast rights for the 2024 season, which they could negotiate with another broadcaster. The snag, however, is whether the Rangers would still receive what they are owed from DSG.

“There’s no deal with MLB, there’s no deal with the Rangers, we don’t know what (Diamond’s) intention is with respect to the Rangers,” a lawyer for the Rangers said in court. 

Young acknowledged the team won't be spending as much as it has in the past two offseasons when they signed free agents Corey Seager and Marcus Semien in 2021, and then Jacob deGrom a year ago, but the current roster has fewer needs.

"One of the things about our team is we have a great returning core group, and we’re really looking for additions to shore up the team," Young said. "Probably not spending at the level that we’ve spent in previous offseasons, but we feel good about the resources we have to field a team that will have a chance to go out and compete for a world championship again."

Free agency, of course, is not the only option for the Rangers. A trade could also help add pitching depth.

"Certainly, adding a starting pitcher is a goal of ours. And addressing the bullpen, multiple spots in the bullpen, where we would feel good about adding via trade or free agency. Those are priorities for us," Young said. "It takes two to make a trade, but we’re going to explore all ways to improve our club. I am comfortable with the recourse and the payroll that we’ll have and the ability to shore up the areas of need for our team."

The Rangers are believed to be interested in free agents Shohei Ohtani and Josh Hader, among others, as well as bringing back Jordan Montgomery.

Free-Agent Closer Perfect For Rangers

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