MLB’s Diamondbacks close in on extension of local rights deal

Major League Baseball franchise the Arizona Diamondbacks is close to extending its regional rights deal with Fox Sports Arizona, the local affiliate of Fox Sports Networks, according to the Azcentral.com news website.

The team’s current contract with Fox Sports Arizona is due to expire after the 2015 season.

Diamondbacks chief executive officer Derrick Hall said that the franchise is “getting very close” to agreeing a new deal that will run for 15 or 20 years.

Hall said that the new agreement would be similar to other regional rights deals that other MLB teams have struck in recent years. The Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Texas Rangers have all agreed lucrative local rights deals in the last few years.

Hall said: “I think it’ll be very similar. It’s going to be a game changer.”