Fox Sports
The sports programming division of Fox Corporation, spanning broadcast television, cable networks, digital products, radio, streaming, and sports-rights partnerships.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Fox Sports is the United States sports-media division of Fox Corporation. It was established in 1994 after Fox secured the National Football Conference package of National Football League games, a move that transformed Fox Broadcasting Company from a newer television network into a credible national competitor. The agreement displaced CBS as the NFC broadcaster and gave Fox an immediate, high-profile sports franchise around which to build its network distribution and programming identity. The division expanded quickly beyond football. It acquired national rights to Major League Baseball in the mid-1990s and later became the principal over-the-air broadcaster of MLB, including the World Series and All-Star Game. It also held rights to the National Hockey League during the 1990s, added NASCAR in 2001, and developed college-football coverage through agreements involving the Bowl Championship Series, conference championships, and the Big Ten. Soccer became an important part of the portfolio through Major League Soccer, FIFA tournaments, UEFA national-team competitions, and other events. Fox Sports has also carried or carried previously programming from the UFC, WWE, the XFL, the USFL, the UFL, NHRA drag racing, golf, and the World Baseball Classic. Its distribution model combines Fox's broadcast network with Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Sports Radio, digital properties, and streaming outlets. The division is also associated with the Big Ten Network, in which Fox owns a majority stake with the Big Ten Conference. In later years, sports content has been distributed through Fox's streaming initiatives, including Fox One, and through sports programming made available on Tubi. The brand's typical output includes live games, studio analysis, documentaries, highlights, news, shoulder programming, radio, and digital scores and editorial coverage. Fox Sports' corporate structure changed substantially after the proposed 2017 acquisition of much of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company. The transaction separated the core Fox broadcast and sports assets—including FS1, FS2, and related operations—from the assets sold to Disney. Those retained assets became part of the independently traded Fox Corporation in 2019. Regional Fox Sports Networks were not part of the current national Fox Sports operation and were subsequently sold by Disney to Sinclair Broadcast Group. The brand is positioned as a broad, personality-driven American sports broadcaster with particular strength in NFL football, MLB, NASCAR, college sports, and soccer. Its programming emphasizes national event rights, prominent studio talent, graphical presentation, cross-platform promotion, and the ability to move audiences among broadcast television, cable, radio, websites, apps, and streaming services. Fox Sports has also experimented with sports betting and free-to-play prediction products, although its relationship with The Stars Group and the Fox Bet operation evolved after Flutter Entertainment acquired The Stars Group. The division remains active, but its rights portfolio changes as league contracts expire, are renewed, or move to competing broadcasters.
History
Fox's interest in sports began before the formal creation of Fox Sports. After launching in 1986, Fox Broadcasting sought programming capable of rapidly increasing affiliate value and national recognition. Sports were attractive because live events could create appointment viewing and help a young network compete with ABC, CBS, and NBC. Fox unsuccessfully explored acquiring Monday Night Football in 1987, but the opportunity became realistic when the NFL reopened its television agreements in the early 1990s. In December 1993, the NFL selected Fox's bid for the NFC package. The agreement began with the 1994 season and included regular-season and postseason games, as well as a future Super Bowl. The deal was a watershed: CBS lost NFL football for the first time since 1955, while Fox recruited established commentators and production staff and used the rights to strengthen its affiliate base. Agreements involving New World Communications and SF Broadcasting moved numerous established stations to Fox, helping the network become a national fourth major network. Fox then assembled a multi-sport rights portfolio. It won an NHL national package in 1994, added MLB rights in 1995, and became the exclusive over-the-air MLB broadcaster after a later renewal. Baseball coverage eventually included the World Series, All-Star Game, selected Division Series games, and League Championship Series coverage. Fox acquired NASCAR rights beginning in 2001 and later used the rebranded Speed Channel for related motorsports programming. College football became another pillar through the Cotton Bowl, BCS games, conference championships, and the Big Ten Network relationship. During the 2010s, Fox Sports expanded into soccer, combat sports, golf, motorsports, and international competitions. It carried UFC programming from 2011 through 2019, obtained FIFA tournament rights beginning in 2015, signed long-term USGA championship rights, renewed or expanded MLS coverage, and later obtained UEFA national-team rights. The division also participated in newer football properties, including the XFL and USFL, and subsequently carried the UFL. The 2017 Disney transaction reshaped the business. Disney acquired major entertainment and international assets from 21st Century Fox, while Fox's national broadcast network, FS1, FS2, and related sports assets were placed in the newly constituted Fox Corporation. Regional sports networks followed a different path and were sold by Disney to Sinclair. Fox Sports consequently continued as a central Fox Corporation brand rather than becoming part of Disney's ESPN-centered portfolio. In the digital era, Fox Sports has extended its programming through websites, mobile products, radio, streaming distribution, and wagering-related services. It has supported sports content on Tubi and Fox's newer streaming products while continuing to rely on broadcast events and cable networks for reach. Rights remain the core strategic asset, and the brand's history is marked by repeated entry into major packages, occasional losses to competitors, and shifts between broadcast, cable, digital, and streaming formats.
- 2024
UFL coverage continues
[1]Fox Sports carried the United Football League after earlier involvement with the XFL and USFL.
- 2019
Fox Corporation becomes parent
[2]Following the Disney acquisition of selected 21st Century Fox assets, Fox Sports became part of the independent Fox Corporation.
- 2015
FIFA and USGA coverage begins
[1]Fox began carrying FIFA tournaments and USGA championships, including the U.S. Open golf tournament.
- 2011
UFC partnership begins
[1]Fox began broadcasting UFC events and related programming under a seven-year agreement.
- 2001
NASCAR coverage begins
[1]Fox's NASCAR rights commenced with the Daytona 500 and the first half of the premier-series season.
- 1995
Fox enters national MLB broadcasting
[1]Fox obtained partial MLB rights in a shared arrangement with NBC.
- 1994
Fox wins the NFC television package
[1]The NFL awarded Fox the National Football Conference package, launching the modern Fox Sports operation and beginning with the 1994 season.
Products and positioning
A major U.S. sports broadcaster focused on premium national rights, mass-market live events, energetic studio programming, and distribution across broadcast, cable, radio, digital, and streaming platforms.
Broadcast television · 1994
Fox Sports on Fox Broadcasting Company
The broadcast-network component presents major national events, especially NFL games, MLB games, NASCAR events, soccer, college sports, and selected championship programming. It provides the broadest free-to-air reach in the Fox Sports portfolio.
Cable television · 2013
Fox Sports 1 (FS1)
FS1 is Fox's principal national cable sports network. It combines live rights with studio shows, debate, news, documentaries, highlights, and shoulder programming across football, baseball, racing, soccer, combat sports, and other properties.
Cable television · 2013
Fox Sports 2 (FS2)
FS2 is the companion national cable network, carrying overflow events and additional live competitions, including motorsports, soccer, college sports, and other programming that complements FS1.
Sports radio · 2000
Fox Sports Radio
A nationally distributed sports-radio service providing talk, commentary, interviews, updates, and event-related programming under the Fox Sports brand.
College sports network · 2006
Big Ten Network
A conference-focused network operated through a partnership between Fox Sports and the Big Ten Conference. It carries Big Ten games, original programming, news, and conference-related content; Fox owns a majority interest.
Sports betting · 2019
Fox Bet
A co-branded sports-wagering initiative developed with The Stars Group in jurisdictions where permitted, accompanied by the free-to-play Fox Sports Super 6 prediction product. Its corporate and operating arrangements changed after The Stars Group was acquired by Flutter Entertainment.
Brand decisions
2019
Enter sports wagering through Fox BetOtherBackground
The repeal of the federal sports-betting restriction opened opportunities for media companies to connect sports audiences with wagering products.
Action taken
Fox partnered with The Stars Group and launched Fox Bet and Fox Sports Super 6, while Fox Corporation acquired a minority interest in The Stars Group.
Aftermath
The Stars Group was later acquired by Flutter Entertainment, changing the ownership context and future options around the U.S. wagering business.
Fox Corporation investment in The Stars Group. $236 million (2019 announcement)
2017
Separate core sports assets from the Disney transactionM&ABackground
The proposed acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney included many Fox assets but was structured to leave the U.S. broadcast network and key national sports assets outside Disney.
Action taken
FS1, FS2, the Fox broadcast network, and associated retained assets were placed into Fox Corporation.
Aftermath
Fox Sports continued under an independent Fox corporate structure, while regional sports networks followed a separate divestiture path.
1994
Build the network around NFL sports rightsStrategyBackground
Fox needed programming with enough live-event value to establish a young broadcast network nationally.
Action taken
The company bid aggressively for and secured the NFL's NFC package, then recruited experienced broadcast talent and used affiliate agreements to expand reach.
Aftermath
The move elevated Fox into a major-network position and created the foundation for a broader sports-rights business.
Recent events
Reported
IndyCar and Fox Sports fund Fostering the Future scholarships[5]
IndyCar and Fox Sports donated $2 million in new scholarships for First Lady Melania Trump's Fostering the Future initiative, funding scholarships at Indiana and Purdue universities, announced at a White House event ahead of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
Reported
Fox Sports launches redesigned app[6]
Fox Sports launched a redesigned sports app for Android and iOS, with a modern interface, live sports access for cable subscribers and bonus camera angles.
Sources6 sources
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