Ruling boosts Fox's Dodger situation

By JON WEISMAN Fox Sports acquired a great U.S. District Court ruling Friday within the efforts to avoid an faster obtain the La Dodgers' publish-2013 cable rights. Since the Connected Press reported, Judge Leonard Stark launched a stay , pending a Jan. 12 hearing , from the federal personal personal bankruptcy court ruling on friday that enabled the Dodgers to begin selling people rights, even though they were not get to industry for nearly yearly. The private personal bankruptcy court had formerly ruled inside the Dodgers' favor, round the theory it might maximize the requirement for the bankrupt franchise, that's legally sure to be provided by April 30. The stay upholds, at the moment no less than, Fox Sports' contractual exclusivity through November. 30 on settling while using Dodgers for cable rights like the following a expiration from the current deal. Had Fox lost on these grounds, it could have faster the energy for other bidders , namely Time Warner Cable, that will most likely seek complimentary programming due to its soon-to-be-launched cable channels devoted for the La Opponents , to produce a play for your Dodgers. However, it has been stipulated the following who is the owner of the Dodgers is not sure to accept any TV rights deal created through the Dodgers' current owner, Frank McCourt. Consequently, the Dodgers' ultimate cable tv fate will most likely remain open prior to the possession transition happens. The fate of Fox Sports' Prime Ticket funnel is broadly considered to depend on having the ability to offer the Dodgers extended-term. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com