Scripps Sports

Scripps Sports
LaunchedDecember 15, 2022 (2022-12-15)
Division ofE. W. Scripps Company
Country of originUnited States
Key peopleBrian Lawlor
(President)[1]
Major broadcasting contracts
Official websitescrippssports.com

Scripps Sports is the sports division of the E. W. Scripps Company; it is responsible for the broadcasting of sporting events across its broadcast television portfolio, including local stations and co-owned networks (such as Ion Television).

History

Prior to the formation of Scripps Sports, in May 2022, The E.W. Scripps Company reached an agreement with the Big Sky Conference to air 14 conference football games and as many as eight women's or men's basketball games involving Montana State University and University of Montana on the Scripps owned Montana Television Network.[2] In 2025, Scripps Sports and the Big Sky extended their agreement through the 2029–30 season.[3]

The formation of Scripps Sports was announced in December 2022. Company president Adam P. Symson stated that the division planned to compete with regional sports networks to pursue local rights to professional sports teams for its stations, and pursue national broadcasting contracts for its Ion Media division (including Ion Television). He argued that the pay television RSN industry was an "old model" that is "not set up to move forward", and that "we are really well-situated to participate in future models with sports teams, leagues, and conferences."[4]

In April 2023, Scripps Sports announced its first broadcast contract, a regular season package of Friday-night WNBA basketball games for Ion.[5][6]

The following month, with AT&T SportsNet winding down, Scripps Sports reached an agreement for regional rights to the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL. The games would be syndicated to stations within the team's designated market (with KMCC as flagship; the station moved Ion to a digital subchannel and became an independent station), and offered via the subscription-based over-the-top service KnightTime+.[7][8][9] In October 2023, it also reached an agreement with the Arizona Coyotes, after Bally Sports Arizona rejected its contract with the team[10] and subsequently shut down not long afterward.[11] After initially airing on the Antenna TV-affiliated KNXV-DT2,[10] KASW moved its The CW affiliation to that channel and similarly converted to an independent station to accommodate Coyotes games (Scripps would later relinquish its CW affiliation entirely, with majority owner Nexstar Media Group taking over KAZT-TV under a time brokerage agreement, and moving The CW to it in February 2024).[12][13][14]

On November 9, 2023, the National Women's Soccer League announced Scripps Sports as a rightsholder beginning in the 2024 season, with Ion to air Saturday night doubleheaders. Ion also aired the 2024 NWSL Draft.[15][16]

In April 2024, the NHL deactivated the Coyotes franchise, and their players and personnel were acquired by a new Salt Lake City-based expansion team owned by Ryan Smith. Scripps' KUPX-TV in Salt Lake City, which had been televising Coyotes and Golden Knights games, continued to carry the former's games, but now as the Utah Mammoth's flagship station.[17] The team's telecasts are produced in-house by SEG Media, a unit of team owner Smith Entertainment Group that also produces Utah Jazz NBA games for KJZZ-TV via a similar arrangement.[18][19]

In July 2024, the Florida Panthers announced a deal with Scripps Sports to move its games from Bally Sports Florida, with WSFL-TV in Miami as flagship station.[20]

On August 18, 2024, Ion aired the finals of the Manhattan Beach Open beach volleyball tournament as part of a one-off deal with the Association of Volleyball Professionals.[21]

In 2025, Scripps Sports began expanding the number of live sports on Ion. In April, Scripps announced a five-year agreement to broadcast the women's Fort Myers Tip-Off on Ion. Scripps also announced an agreement with Sports Illustrated to launch the SI Women's Games. The games will feature women, representing "Team America" and "Team World", competing in basketball, gymnastics, tennis, flag football, volleyball, and combat sports.[22] In September 2025, Scripps announced a multi-year agreement with Athlos to air Athlos NYC and Athlos League.[23] In November 2025, Scripps announced an agreement with Major League Volleyball to broadcast the leagues' semifinals and championship on Ion.[24]

Scripps Sports also announced additional regional agreements in 2025. In March 2025, Scripps acquired the local rights to the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces, joining the Golden Knights on KMCC.[25] In May, Scripps signed a deal with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning to carry their games on WXPX-TV, taking over the rights from FanDuel Sports Network Sun.[26] In September, Scripps announced an agreement with the University of Hawaii to broadcast Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football on local stations in San Diego, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Tucson, Boise/Twin Falls, Bakersfield, San Luis Obispo, Great Falls/Helena/Billings and Butte/Bozeman.[27]

Prior to the 2025–26 PWHL season, Scripps Sports announced that its local stations in Denver (KCDO), Detroit (WMYD), Las Vegas (KMCC) and Tampa (WXPX) would broadcast select regular season PWHL games.[28] Mid-way through the season, Scripps announced that the PWHL Water Cup Finals and a regular season game in Detroit between the New York Sirens and Montréal Victoire would air nationally on Ion. The games on Ion will mark the first time the PWHL has been nationally televised by one network in the United States.[29]

On March 24, 2026, Scripps launched the Scripps Sports Network, a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel. Scripps announced expanded agreements to air 10 regular season PWHL games and 12 regular-season Major League Volleyball games, in addition to a new agreement with the National Arena League, on the network.[30]

Scripps continued to announce additional broadcast rights in April 2026. Scripps announced an agreement with the Professional Bull Riders to broadcast Premier Women's Rodeo on Ion and Grit beginning with a limited 2026 schedule. In 2027, Scripps networks will air 18 hours of women's rodeo across 16 broadcasts.[31]

On April 7, 2026, it was announced that the Nashville Predators would move to WNPX-TV under a multi-year deal with Scripps Sports, moving from FanDuel Sports Network South.[32] On May 13, it was announced that the Detroit Pistons would move to WMYD under a multi-year deal with Scripps Sports, moving from FanDuel Sports Network Detroit. It will mark the first NBA team served by the division.[33][34]

Programs

Current national broadcast rights

  • WNBA (2023–present)[5][6]
    • Friday Night Spotlight; 15 weeks of regular season games per-season on Ion Television
  • NWSL (2024–present)[15][16]
    • Saturday Night Soccer; 25 weeks of regular season matches on Saturday nights per-season on Ion Television
    • All matches simulcast on Scripps Sports Network[30]
    • 2024 NWSL Draft
  • Athlos (2025–present)
    • Athlos NYC
    • Athlos League
  • Women's Fort Myers Tip-Off (2025–present)[22]
  • Sports Illustrated Women's Games (2025–present)[22]
    • Team Americas vs Team World
    • Featuring flag football, judo, wrestling, volleyball, gymnastics, basketball and tennis
  • Professional Women's Hockey League (2025–present)[30]
    • Select games broadcast locally in Denver (KCDO), Detroit (WMYD), Las Vegas (KMCC) and Tampa (WXPX)
    • 10 regular season games on Scripps Sports Network
    • 1 regular season game on Ion
    • PWHL Water Cup Finals on Ion
  • Major League Volleyball (2026–present)[30]
    • 12 regular season matches on Scripps Sports Network
    • Semifinals and championship on Ion
  • National Arena League (2026–present)[30]
    • Select games on Scripps Sports Network

Current regional broadcast rights

Team League Flagship station Affiliates OTT subscription outlet
Montana and Montana State (2022–present)
(Football, Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball) 		Big Sky Conference Montana Television Network[2]
Florida Panthers (2024–present) NHL WSFL-TV/Miami, Florida
Utah Mammoth (2024–present)[38] NHL KUPX-TV/Provo, Utah
  • SEG+ (in-market)[39]
Vegas Golden Knights (2023–present) NHL KMCC/Laughlin, Nevada[40]
  • KnightTime+ (in-market)[40]
Las Vegas Aces (2025–present) WNBA KMCC/Laughlin, Nevada TBA TBA
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football (2025–present) Mountain West Conference N/a[a] Mountain West Network (non-computer only)
Tampa Bay Lightning (2025–present) NHL WXPX-TV/Bradenton, Florida
  • WRBW/Orlando, Florida
  • WGFL-DT2/High Springs, Florida
  • WFGX/Fort Walton Beach, Florida
  • WFXU/Live Oak, Florida
 Tampa Bay Lightning App (in market)
Nashville Predators (2026-present) NHL WNPX-TV/Franklin, Tennessee TBA TBA
Detroit Pistons (2026-present)[43] NBA WMYD/Detroit, Michigan TBA TBA

Former regional broadcast rights

Team League Flagship station Affiliates OTT subscription outlet
Arizona Coyotes (2023–2024) NHL KASW/Phoenix, Arizona
KNXV-TV/Phoenix, Arizona (former)
  • Coyotes Central (in-market)[44]

On-air talent

WNBA

  • Larry Smith (Studio host)[45]
  • Autumn Johnson (Studio analyst)[45]
  • Meghan McKeown (Studio analyst)[45]

NWSL

References

  1. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (August 1, 2024). "Friday and Saturday Night Lights: Ion Television Reaps the Rewards of Investing in Women's Sports". Variety. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Rodgers, Tyson (May 18, 2022). "Big Sky Conference Games to Air on Scripps Television Stations". Big Sky Conference. Retrieved January 31, 2024. Scripps stations in markets with Big Sky schools will broadcast football games and men's and women's basketball games ... The Big Sky Conference will retain rights to digitally distribute and stream programming via the ESPN+ app both within and outside the league's footprint, and these broadcasts on Scripps will not be subject to any blackout restrictions.
  3. ^ "Big Sky Conference Inks Media Rights Extension With Scripps Sports Through 2029-30". Big Sky Conference. March 8, 2025. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  4. ^ "E.W. Scripps Co. to bid for local sports rights". Sports Business Journal. 2022-12-15. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  5. ^ a b Steinberg, Brian (2023-04-20). "WNBA Gets Friday-Night Showcase on ION in New Pact With Scripps". Variety. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  6. ^ a b "Scripps makes first sports rights move with WNBA deal". SportBusiness. 2023-04-21. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  7. ^ "VGK and Scripps Partner on Multi-Year Agreement to Air NHL Team's Games". NHL.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  8. ^ Winslow, George (2023-05-05). "Scripps Inks Multiyear Deal to Air Vegas Golden Knights NHL Games". TVTechnology. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
  9. ^ "How to Watch the Vegas Golden Knights". NHL.com. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Ortiz, Jenna (5 October 2023). "Arizona Coyotes land TV deal with Scripps Sports". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Financially troubled Bally Sports Arizona will no longer provide coverage of local teams". 12news.com. 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  12. ^ Dachman, Jason (November 17, 2023). "Arizona Coyotes Move to New Scripps Sports OTA Station". Sports Video Group. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  13. ^ "Arizona Coyotes Moving to New Home with Scripps Sports". Arizona Coyotes. November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  14. ^ Alex (January 8, 2024). "Nexstar Media Enters Into Time Brokerage Agreement with KAZT-TV in Phoenix, Arizona". Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Lucia, Joe (2023-11-09). "NWSL announces new media rights deals, reportedly paying $60 million annually". Awful Announcing. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  16. ^ a b Tannenwald, Jonathan (2023-11-09). "The NWSL signs new broadcast deals with CBS, ESPN, Amazon, and ION worth $60 million a year". Inquirer.com. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  17. ^ "Utah NHL games to air free on Utah 16". Sportico. April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  18. ^ "SEG Media Launches New DTC Streaming Service for Utah Hockey Club in Partnership With Kiswe". Sports Video Group. September 20, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  19. ^ KUTV, Megan Brugger (2024-09-20). "Smith Entertainment Group launches new UtahHC+, SEG+ streaming platforms". KUTV. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  20. ^ "Florida Panthers, Scripps Sports partner on multi-year agreement to air National Hockey League team's games". NHL.com. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  21. ^ "Miss the Olympics already? Here's how to watch the beach volleyball stars' next high-stakes match". WPTV. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  22. ^ a b c "ION announces five-year agreement with Fort Myers Tip-Off". Awful Announcing. April 9, 2025. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  23. ^ "ATHLOS Announces ION as Domestic Linear Broadcast Television Partner for Athlos NYC 2025". Sports Video Group. September 9, 2025. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  24. ^ "2026 Major League Volleyball Championship Slated For ION". Major League Volleyball. November 6, 2025. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  25. ^ K. Miller, Mark (March 14, 2025). "Scripps Sports To Broadcast Regular Season WNBA Las Vegas Aces Games On Vegas 34". TV News Check. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  26. ^ Lerner, Drew (2025-05-14). "Tampa Bay Lightning leaving FanDuel Sports Network for local affiliate". Awful Announcing. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  27. ^ "Scripps Sports To Air Five UH Football Games This Fall". Hawaii Athletics. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  28. ^ "United States Local TV". PWHL. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  29. ^ "PWHL AND SCRIPPS SPORTS TEAM UP TO BRING WALTER CUP FINALS TO NATIONAL U.S. BROADCAST FOR FIRST TIME". PWHL. March 18, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  30. ^ a b c d e Karp, Austin (March 23, 2026). "Scripps Sports launching FAST channel, with live PWHL, MLV games included". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  31. ^ "Scripps Sports Inks Multi-Year Deal To Air Premier Women's Rodeo On Ion & Grit". TV News Check. April 17, 2026. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  32. ^ "NewsChannel 5 creating new TV home for the Nashville Preds". WTVF. April 7, 2026. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  33. ^ Lerner, Drew (2026-05-13). "Scripps strikes local broadcast deal with Detroit Pistons". Awful Announcing. Retrieved 2026-05-13.
  34. ^ "Detroit Pistons Announce New Local Television Media Rights Agreement with Scripps Sports". NBA.com. May 13, 2026. Archived from the original on May 13, 2026. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  35. ^ "Florida Panthers and Scripps Sports Announce Programming for 2024-25 Season". Florida Panthers. August 29, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  36. ^ "Florida Panthers Partner with ViewLift to Launch DTC Streaming Service". Florida Panthers. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  37. ^ "Florida Panthers Launch 'Panthers Plus' In Conjunction With ViewLift And Scripps Sports On Sept. 27". TVNewsCheck. September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  38. ^ Tavss, Jeff (April 18, 2024). "Utah NHL games to air free on Utah 16". KSTU. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  39. ^ "SEG Media Launches New DTC Streaming Service for Utah Hockey Club in Partnership With Kiswe". Sports Video Group. September 20, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  40. ^ a b "How to Watch the Vegas Golden Knights". NHL.com. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  41. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights, fresh off winning Stanley Cup, bring annual bus tour through Bozeman". MontanaSports.com (MTSPX). 2023-08-24. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  42. ^ "Hawaii News Now Selected as the Official Broadcast Partner for UH Athletics In New Multi-Year Relationship". University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics. 2026-06-04. Retrieved 2026-06-04.
  43. ^ "TV20 Detroit will be new TV home for the Detroit Pistons starting this fall". WXYZ. May 13, 2026. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  44. ^ "Coyotes Launch Direct-to-Consumer Streaming Platform in Partnership with Kiswe and Scripps Sports". NHL.com. February 16, 2024.
  45. ^ a b c Weiss, Jim (May 6, 2025). "State Farm® WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION to tip off May 16 with the most regular-season games on TV". Scripps. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  46. ^ a b c d e f Weiss, Jim (March 4, 2025). "Scripps Sports builds upon successful first year of NWSL on ION, announces game plans, new studio team for 2025 season". Scripps. Retrieved May 6, 2025.

Notes

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