The Ilitch organization looking to launch regional sports network

Announced this morning, the Ilitch organization will be exploring what it will take to launch a regional sports network for the Detroit and Michigan area.

As mentioned in the press release, the RSN (regional sports network) will serve as the television, radio broadcast, and distribution home for mainly the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings. No deadline or launch date has been announced – they are simply just exploring the option.

This move comes at an interesting time for the local sports broadcasting universe. Since Fox Sports-Detroit is a division of 21st Century Fox – which last year was purchased by the Disney Company for $71 billion – the Justice Department ruled this year that Fox must get rid of its 22 different regional sports networks because Disney also owns ESPN.

Therefore, FSD might become no more and will then cease to exist.

The Ilitch organization might have had their hand forced into this decision after all.

Other NHL franchises that have their own regional sports networks include the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, and the New Jersey Devils with MSG, the Boston Bruins have NESN, as well as the Colorado Avalanche with Altitude Sports.