The information was given by Chris Bellitti, vice-president of communications at US pay-television network Fox Sports, part of the News media group and Texas Rangers television rights owner.
It had emerged that News was preparing a bid for the Rangers, possibly to thwart any attempt by Mark Cuban to launch a regional sports network with the Rangers and Texas National Basketball Association franchise Dallas Mavericks.
Mavericks owner Cuban is one of three known bidders for today’s auction. The others are a joint bid by Pittsburgh sports attorney Chuck Greenberg, Rangers president Nolan Ryan and Texas energy magnate Ray Davis; and Houston investor Jim Crane. There is a chance Cuban and Crane join forces for a single bid too.
The Rangers are owned by Tom Hicks, also the co-owner of English Premier League club Liverpool, and filed for bankruptcy after failing to pay a $525-million debt.
