Stadium
Stadium is an American sports media network combining linear television distribution with streaming video, studio programming, and live sports coverage.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Stadium is an American sports media network headquartered at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. It was launched in 2017 as a successor operation to Sinclair Broadcast Group's American Sports Network, while also incorporating the digital sports-video capabilities associated with Campus Insiders and 120 Sports. The network was created as a joint venture involving Sinclair and Silver Chalice, a sports-media company owned by the Chicago White Sox ownership group. Its concept combined a nationally distributed linear channel with digital streaming, social-video distribution, original studio programming, and live event coverage. The network emerged during a period when sports rights holders and broadcasters were experimenting with hybrid television and digital distribution. Before Stadium was formed, American Sports Network supplied syndicated sports programming through local broadcast affiliates, while 120 Sports operated as an online sports-video service with original studio and long-form content. The new Stadium operation was announced in April 2017, named publicly in May, and officially launched on August 21, 2017. Its linear service initially used much of the distribution infrastructure developed for American Sports Network, with the transition of the ASN digital multicast service taking place in September 2017. At launch and in subsequent years, Stadium focused heavily on college sports, including games and related programming connected with conferences such as Conference USA, the Mountain West Conference, the Patriot League, the Southern Conference, and the West Coast Conference. It also built a broader portfolio of live and studio content, including minor-league baseball, alternative football formats, combat-sports programming, sports discussion, fantasy sports, and other original shows. A subscription product known as Stadium Plus offered premium events and on-demand material, including commercial-free replays and archived games. Distribution expanded through streaming television platforms, third-party applications, Sinclair's STIRR service, social platforms, and conventional cable arrangements. Stadium also pursued platform-specific partnerships. In 2017, Facebook acquired rights to a package of college basketball broadcasts for exclusive streaming on Facebook Watch. In 2018, Stadium partnered with Twitch to distribute its programming and created a separate Twitch channel with additional commentary and analysis. These arrangements reflected the network's effort to reach sports viewers outside conventional pay television. The network became increasingly connected to Sinclair's wider sports-media strategy after Sinclair acquired regional sports networks formerly associated with Fox Sports Networks, took a minority interest in the YES Network, and launched Marquee Sports Network with the Chicago Cubs. Sinclair executives described Stadium as a national-level sports outlet rather than a direct peer to ESPN or Fox Sports 1. In 2021, Stadium began closer operational and branding coordination with the Bally Sports regional-sports network group. It co-produced an Opening Day special, adopted Bally-style on-air graphics for college broadcasts, and later produced The Rally, a national studio program carried by Bally Sports channels. In May 2023, during the bankruptcy crisis affecting Bally Sports parent Diamond Sports Group, Sinclair sold its controlling interest in Stadium to Silver Chalice. Sinclair said the network did not attract sufficient viewership to justify continued funding. Sinclair subsequently ended its distribution of Stadium in October 2023, replacing it with The Nest. Stadium College Sports, a related group of channels, ceased operations at the end of 2023. Stadium nevertheless continued to provide some programming after the ownership change. In June 2025, it returned to selected Illinois over-the-air affiliates as a replacement for Chicago Sports Network on stations affected by a Comcast carriage arrangement. Stadium's current footprint is therefore best understood as a mixed and evolving sports-content operation rather than a broadly distributed national cable network.
History
Stadium developed from the restructuring of Sinclair Broadcast Group's American Sports Network during the rapid expansion of streaming and digital sports distribution. In early 2017, reports circulated that American Sports Network might be shut down following layoffs and a planned headquarters relocation. Those reports were later described as inaccurate in their suggestion of a complete closure, but they reflected a broader restructuring intended to produce more diversified distribution and a more sustainable operating model. On April 13, 2017, Sinclair announced that American Sports Network would be relaunched through a joint venture with Silver Chalice, the owner of Campus Insiders, and 120 Sports. The proposed operation was designed to have both linear and digital components. Its linear service would use the broadcast-syndication network that American Sports Network had established, while the digital service would stream continuously online and through Twitter. 120 Sports contributed original studio and long-form sports programming. The new venture was named Stadium on May 1, 2017, and launched on August 21. Stadium's early programming reflected the partners' college-sports expertise. The network carried events associated with Conference USA, the Mountain West Conference, the Patriot League, the Southern Conference, and the West Coast Conference. It also distributed studio shows, analysis, sports news, and specialty programming. The business model was intentionally multi-platform: Stadium appeared through streaming television services and applications, Sinclair's STIRR service, selected cable systems, social networks, and digital multicast affiliates. The American Sports Network linear service transitioned to Stadium on September 6, 2017. The network pursued direct relationships with major digital platforms. In November 2017, Facebook acquired exclusive streaming rights to 47 Stadium college basketball telecasts for Facebook Watch. In May 2018, Stadium partnered with Twitch, both to stream its existing content and to operate a separate Twitch Stadium 2 channel with supplementary commentary and analysis. Stadium also introduced Stadium Plus, a paid service offering premium events and on-demand content, including commercial-free replays and classic games. As Sinclair increased its involvement in regional sports networks, Stadium was positioned as a national complement to those services. Sinclair's regional-sports expansion included the acquisition of Fox Sports Networks, a minority stake in the YES Network, and the creation of Marquee Sports Network with the Chicago Cubs. In 2019, Sinclair chief executive Chris Ripley characterized Stadium as a national sports play that was not yet intended to compete directly with ESPN or Fox Sports 1. Beginning in 2021, Stadium worked more closely with the Bally Sports network group. It co-produced a Bally Sports Opening Day launch special on April 1 and adopted Bally's on-air graphics for college sports broadcasts during the 2021–22 academic season. The former Fox College Sports cable channels were rebranded Stadium College Sports in June 2021. In 2022, Stadium began producing The Rally, a national studio program carried by Bally Sports channels. The network's corporate position changed in 2023. Amid the bankruptcy of Diamond Sports Group, the parent company of Bally Sports, Sinclair sold its controlling interest in Stadium to Silver Chalice in May. Sinclair said that Stadium's viewership was not high enough to support continued funding. Sinclair stopped distributing Stadium in October 2023 and substituted The Nest. Stadium College Sports also closed at the end of that year. Stadium continued to supply some programming after the sale, and in June 2025 it replaced Chicago Sports Network on certain Illinois over-the-air affiliates affected by a Comcast carriage requirement. The available reference material does not establish a complete current distribution list or a detailed post-2025 corporate structure.
- 2025
Illinois affiliate return
[1]Stadium replaced Chicago Sports Network on selected Illinois over-the-air affiliates.
- 2023
Control transferred to Silver Chalice
[1]Sinclair sold its controlling interest in Stadium to Silver Chalice.
- 2023
Sinclair distribution ends
[1]Sinclair replaced Stadium with The Nest on its distribution outlets, while Stadium College Sports ceased operations at year-end.
- 2022
The Rally begins
[1]Stadium began producing The Rally for distribution on Bally Sports channels.
- 2021
Bally Sports integration
[1]Stadium co-produced an Opening Day special for Bally Sports and adopted Bally's graphics for college broadcasts.
- 2021
Stadium College Sports rebrand
[1]Fox College Sports channels were rebranded as Stadium College Sports.
- 2018
Twitch distribution partnership
[1]Stadium began distributing content through Twitch and added a dedicated channel with extra analysis.
- 2017
Joint venture announced
[1]Sinclair announced a joint venture with Silver Chalice and 120 Sports to relaunch American Sports Network as a combined linear and digital sports operation.
- 2017
Stadium name announced
[1]The new sports-media venture was publicly named Stadium.
- 2017
Official launch
[1]Stadium began broadcasting and streaming as a combined linear and digital sports network on August 21.
Products and positioning
A hybrid sports-media network designed to distribute live events and original sports programming across broadcast television, pay television, streaming services, social platforms, and digital video.
Sports television network · 2017
Stadium linear network
The linear television component of Stadium distributes live sports, studio programming, analysis, and other sports-related content through broadcast affiliates, cable systems, and selected television platforms. It inherited much of the distribution infrastructure developed by American Sports Network and later experienced reductions in distribution following Sinclair's 2023 exit.
Sports streaming · 2017
Stadium digital streaming service
Stadium's digital operation provides online sports video through applications, streaming television services, social platforms, and other digital outlets. Its programming has included live events, studio shows, analysis, long-form features, and platform-specific content.
Subscription sports video
Stadium Plus
Stadium Plus is a subscription offering for premium events and on-demand sports content. The service has included commercial-free replays, archived games, and other material not necessarily available through the network's standard free distribution.
College sports television channels · 2021
Stadium College Sports
Stadium College Sports was the rebranded group of channels formerly known as Fox College Sports. The channels carried college sports programming under the Stadium identity but ceased operations at the end of 2023.
Sports studio program · 2022
The Rally
The Rally is a national sports studio show produced by Stadium for distribution through Bally Sports channels. It represented Stadium's role as a content producer within Sinclair's broader regional-sports portfolio.
Sports podcast
Points In The Paint Podcast
Points In The Paint Podcast is an NBA-focused podcast associated with Stadium and hosted by Ben Wittenstein and Zach Badger-House.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Bally Sports Opening Day collaboration
United States
Stadium co-produced an Opening Day launch special for the Bally Sports networks as part of closer cooperation with Sinclair's regional sports portfolio.
Outcome. The collaboration integrated Stadium-produced content into Bally Sports programming.
- 2018Twitch partnership
United States · Digital platforms
Stadium partnered with Twitch to stream its programming and created an additional channel featuring commentary and analysis.
Outcome. The partnership broadened Stadium's digital distribution and created a Twitch-specific presentation layer.
- 2017Stadium launch distribution campaign
United States
Stadium launched simultaneously as a linear and digital sports operation, using American Sports Network's affiliate infrastructure while promoting continuous online access and original programming.
Outcome. The network established a multi-platform distribution model and expanded beyond the former ASN identity.
- 2017Facebook Watch college basketball package
United States · Digital platforms
A package of 47 college basketball telecasts was distributed exclusively through Facebook Watch, extending Stadium's reach to a major social-video platform.
Outcome. The agreement added a platform-specific digital outlet for Stadium college sports content.
Brand decisions
2025
Return to selected Illinois over-the-air affiliatesStrategyBackground
Chicago Sports Network was required to leave certain affiliates under a Comcast carriage arrangement.
Action taken
Stadium replaced Chicago Sports Network on some Illinois over-the-air affiliates.
Aftermath
The move restored a limited over-the-air presence for Stadium in Illinois, although the full scope of its current distribution is not established in the reference material.
2023
Transfer controlling interest to Silver ChaliceM&ABackground
The transaction occurred during the bankruptcy crisis affecting Diamond Sports Group, the parent company of Bally Sports. Sinclair stated that Stadium's viewership was insufficient to justify continued funding.
Action taken
Sinclair sold its controlling interest in Stadium to Silver Chalice.
Aftermath
Sinclair ended its distribution of Stadium in October 2023, replaced it with The Nest, and Stadium College Sports subsequently shut down.
2021
Integrate programming with Bally SportsStrategyBackground
Sinclair was expanding its regional sports network holdings and sought additional national and studio programming to support the Bally Sports ecosystem.
Action taken
Stadium co-produced Bally programming, adopted Bally graphics for college broadcasts, and later produced The Rally.
Aftermath
Stadium became more closely tied to Sinclair's regional-sports operations before Sinclair later sold its controlling interest.
2017
Create a combined linear and digital sports networkStrategyBackground
Sinclair, Silver Chalice, and 120 Sports sought to restructure American Sports Network and combine broadcast distribution with online video and studio production.
Action taken
They formed the Stadium operation and relaunched the underlying sports-media activities under a single brand.
Aftermath
Stadium launched in August 2017 and retained both television and digital distribution.
Recent events
ROH announces ROH Best On The Planet streaming service[2]
Reported:
Ring of Honor announced ROH Best On The Planet, a digital-first 24/7 network offering Ring of Honor Wrestling content. The service had already debuted on STIRR, and ROH said it was working with Stadium on distribution.
Sources2 sources
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