Asia Sports Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 5 Week of 10 March 2025
(1) MLB and ESPN part ways as sports broadcasting enters new territory
The 35-year partnership between Major League Baseball (MLB) and ESPN will end after the 2025 season due to disagreements over fees, prompting MLB to explore new broadcasting opportunities.
(2) America wants to take over F1: Netflix makes unprecedented decision
American interest in Formula 1 has surged, leading Netflix to bid for U.S. broadcasting rights starting in 2026, which could reshape fan experience and reflect the sport’s growing influence in the U.S.
(3) Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens party to be bigger and better than ever at Kai Tak
Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevenswill enter stratospheric new territory to its new home at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium.
(4) CBS Sports at Stake As Paramount Acquisition Gets Contentious
Paramount said its proposed US$8 billion merger with Skydance was on track and set to close by late June. There is now late-arriving drama in that intended timetable.
(5) Hiroshima Dragonflies win the EASL final at Macao’s Studio City Event Centre
The Hiroshima Dragonflies defeated the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots 72-68 to win their first East Asia Super League title in a vibrant final held in Macau, which showcased the city’s increasing interest in hosting sports events.
(1) MLB and ESPN part ways as sports broadcasting enters new territory
(Photo Credit: Valley News)
The 35-year partnership between Major League Baseball (MLB) and ESPN will conclude after the 2025 season, marking a significant shift in the sports broadcasting landscape as traditional television faces increasing competition from streaming platforms. With MLB experiencing a rise in fan engagement and ESPN adjusting its priorities, both entities are pursuing strategies that align with their evolving goals.
ESPN decided to terminate its partnership with MLB due to a disagreement over fees, citing “fiscal responsibility” as the main reason for ending the annual US$550 million contract. The network’s focus appears to be shifting towards securing rights for more lucrative sports like the NFL and NBA, leading to a reduced investment in baseball. In contrast, MLB’s refusal to renegotiate lower rights fees reflects its confidence in growth and the desire for a more committed broadcasting partner.
As MLB heads into the 2025 season, it is poised to explore new broadcasting opportunities, particularly with streaming giants like Amazon and Netflix showing interest in acquiring its rights. This transition could introduce the sport to a broader audience through innovative content strategies tailored to younger viewers. While the shift towards streaming presents new possibilities, MLB must balance the interests of its traditional fanbase with the demands of digital audiences to ensure a successful future in sports broadcasting.
News Source: https://myvalleynews.com/blog/2025/03/07/mlb-and-espn-part-ways-as-sports-broadcasting-enters-new-territory/
(2) America wants to take over F1: Netflix makes unprecedented decision
(Photo Credit: Coaches Database)
Formula 1 (F1) has traditionally been dominated by Europe, but recent interest from the United States has led to a significant increase in American fans, partly due to Netflix’s successful docuseries, Drive to Survive. Now, Netflix is preparing to bid for the live broadcasting rights to F1 in the U.S. starting from the 2026 season, which could disrupt the current arrangement with ESPN, who has held the rights since 2018 and has seen its payments escalate from US$5 million to US$90 million per year.
If Netflix wins the rights, it would mark the company’s first major foray into live sports broadcasting, potentially transforming the viewing experience for American F1 fans. Unlike ESPN, which uses a feed from Sky Sports, Netflix may create its own coverage tailored for U.S. audiences, offering enhanced storytelling and behind-the-scenes content. However, this shift could also mean fans would need to pay separately for access, as Netflix operates on a subscription model rather than including F1 in cable packages.
The potential acquisition of F1 broadcasting rights by Netflix would signify a pivotal moment in sports broadcasting, reflecting America’s growing influence on Formula 1. With a notable increase in American investments in the sport and the U.S. hosting more Grand Prix races than any other country, F1 is evolving from a European-centric sport to one that is increasingly embraced by American fans.
News Source: https://www.coachesdatabase.com/america-wants-to-take-over-f1/#google_vignette
(3) Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens party to be bigger and better than ever at Kai Tak
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Kai Tak Stadium marks a significant milestone in Hong Kong’s sports development, with the Hong Kong Sevens being its inaugural international event. Designed with facilities for 20 teams and a seating area inspired by the lively South Stand of the Sevens, Kai Tak is uniquely tailored for the tournament, reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as the spiritual home of rugby sevens.
Following the return of the Hong Kong Sevens to sell out status after the pandemic, the stadium’s additional seating capacity is timely for Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR), enabling growth for both the tournament and the sport.
The event will offer over 70 world-class matches, cultural performances, and live music from acts such as Kaiser Chiefs and DJ Pete Tong, alongside a new Fan Village and numerous concession booths. With strong public interest and strong sales in hospitality and corporate boxes, the Hong Kong Sevens is projected to achieve record ticket sales in 2025, promising an unforgettable weekend for rugby and music fans alike.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/presented/sport/topics/cathay/hsbc-hong-kong-sevens/article/3301450/cathay/hsbc-hong-kong-sevens-party-be-bigger-and-better-ever-kai-tak
(4) CBS Sports at Stake As Paramount Acquisition Gets Contentious
(Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy)
The proposed US$8 billion merger between Skydance and Paramount has become contentious as Skydance seeks to counter a new US$13.8 billion bid from Project Rise Partners. Skydance, which has been pursuing the acquisition of Paramount since last summer and intends to close the deal by late June, informed the Federal Communications Commission that Project Rise’s bid is a “transparent attempt to delay” the approval of the Skydance merger. Skydance also noted that Project Rise failed to submit a bid during a previous 45-day “go‑shop” period intended for other offers.
Skydance further alleged that many of Project Rise’s listed financial backers were misrepresented, stating that some were incapable of funding a transaction of this magnitude, while others were included without their consent. In response, Project Rise described Skydance’s accusations as outrageous, asserting that their offer was superior and would benefit shareholders more than Skydance’s proposal.
The ongoing situation complicates the pending Skydance-Paramount deal, which aims to strengthen Paramount’s position in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Despite Paramount’s growth in streaming subscribers and important CBS Sports broadcasts, it recently missed revenue and earnings projections, facing challenges from the declining linear TV business.
News Source: https://frontofficesports.com/cbs-sports-at-stake-as-paramount-acquisition-gets-contentious/
(5) Hiroshima Dragonflies win the EASL final at Macao’s Studio City Event Centre
(Photo Credit: EASL)
The Hiroshima Dragonflies of Japan claimed victory over the Taoyuan Pauian Pilots of Chinese Taipei with a score of 72-68 in the 2024-25 East Asia Super League (EASL) final held at Studio City Event Center in Macau. This match represented a significant achievement for the Dragonflies, marking their first EASL title and continuing the trend of Japanese teams winning the championship, following the Chiba Jets from the previous season.
The atmosphere during the final was vibrant, with a carnival-like feel in the multipurpose venue transformed into a basketball court. Fans had travelled from various locations to attend, adding to the excitement with cheerleaders and half-time entertainment. Despite the lively support from Pilots fans, their team struggled to gain control of the game, ultimately succumbing to the Dragonflies’ physicality and failing to seize momentum.
The event capped off a busy weekend of basketball in Macau, which hosted the final four for the first time. Although no Korean teams progressed beyond the group stage, the Macau Black Bears are set to return for the next season. The EASL’s presence in Macau highlights the city’s growing interest in sports events, blending sports and tourism to create memorable experiences.
News Source: https://macaonews.org/life/sports/easl-2025-final-winners-hiroshima-dragonflies/
