Now here's a bit of a surprise - #Rockets file statement in support of Comcast involutionary petition for CSN Houston bankruptcy
— Eric Fisher (@EricFisherSBJ) October 22, 2013
#Astros owner Jim Crane had suggested he was on good terms with #Rockets, his partner in CSN Houston, in this fight
— Eric Fisher (@EricFisherSBJ) October 22, 2013
But #Rockets say Chap 11 is best option. Alternative is likely liquidation of CSN Houston and big financial losses for all concerned
— Eric Fisher (@EricFisherSBJ) October 22, 2013
So this has now elevated from Dumpster Fire to Train Wreck to Nuclear Spill.
Back in January the Houston Press learned that there was a carriage deal prior to the Rockets season but the Astros, who have to approve of any such deal - blocked it because it wasn't good enough. Jeff Balke wrote:
According to sources with knowledge of the situation, the Houston Astros, who are part owners of Comcast SportsNet Houston along with the Houston Rockets and NBC, nixed an 11th-hour deal with DirecTV that could have put CSN Houston on the provider and delivered Rockets games to its subscribers at the beginning of the Rockets season. Additionally, it is believed that such a deal, had it been completed with DirecTV, would have almost certainly led to similar deals with U-verse and Dish Network.
Well well. The next important date coming up is Monday, when the hearing on dismissing the bankruptcy suit is brought before the judge.
Read David Barron's piece on how the Astros and Rockets are linked.