Could sale of Washington Nationals fall through?

The Washington Nationals have been negotiating a possible sale of their franchise to billionaire Ted Leonsis, however there seems to be a minimum of one vital impediment standing in the way in which of a deal.

It was revealed earlier this 12 months that the Lerner household is trying to promote the Nats. The workforce is anticipated to fetch a minimum of $2 billion, with the household hoping to obtain $3 billion. Leonsis, whose Monumental Sports activities owns the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards, is the most probably purchaser. Tv rights could also be holding up the deal, nevertheless.

In a Q&A on Thursday, Barry Svrluga of the Washington Put up reported that TV rights have turn out to be a “actual downside” in negotiations between Leonsis and the Lerner household. The Baltimore Orioles at the moment personal the Nationals’ TV rights. They have been granted that when MLB determined to maneuver the Montreal Expos to D.C. for the reason that Orioles have been in that market first.

Leonsis not too long ago bought NBC Sports activities Washington, which airs Capitals and Wizards video games. In a super world, he would be capable to add all the Nationals’ video games to the community’s schedule as nicely. Presently, MASN is the regional sports activities channel that airs each Nats and Orioles video games. The Orioles have a bigger possession share of the channel, and the Nats have sued them, alleging they’re owed cash by the O’s.

It’s actually attainable that buying Washington’s TV rights from the Orioles will turn out to be a part of the deal. For now, it feels like there may be nonetheless loads to kind via.