When YouTube TV announced that it was dropping Sinclair’s Fox Sports regional sports channels from its platform, sports fans of virtually all leagues, including the WNBA had to take notice.
Those WNBA fans – particularly fans of four teams – can breathe a huge sigh of relief that they will be able to see their teams on YouTube TV this season.
Sinclair and YouTube reached an agreement that called for 19 of the 21 regional sports channels to be restored to the online streaming service.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, YouTube TV Renew Licenses On 19 Regional Sports Networks, Ensuring Continued Access For Millions Of Fans: https://t.co/JOlwD6Bh40 pic.twitter.com/ZKuSI5BQKK
— Sinclair Broadcast Group (@WeAreSinclair) March 5, 2020
The four WNBA teams in question are the Minnesota Lynx, Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury and Dallas Wings – all of whom have agreements with a Fox Sports regional network for television carriage of its games.
The Lynx’s regional television outlet is Fox Sports North, the Fever’s regional television channel is Fox Sports Indiana, the Mercury air on Fox Sports Arizona and the Wings are carried via Fox Sports Southwest.
Interestingly enough, it did not include two other networks – one of which also is a noteworthy carrier of WNBA basketball. Sinclair’s new deal with YouTube did not cover Fox Sports West and the YES Network, which Sinclair owns a 20% stake in and became the regional television broadcaster of the New York Liberty beginning last season.
