FanDuel Sports Network Sun
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA Florida regional sports network carrying local professional, collegiate, outdoor and sports-related programming.
Last updated October 14, 2026
Overview
FanDuel Sports Network Sun is a regional sports television network serving Florida. The channel is owned by Main Street Sports Group, formerly known as Diamond Sports Group, and operates as an affiliate of the wider FanDuel Sports Network portfolio. Its coverage has historically centered on professional teams based in the Miami, Tampa Bay and Orlando markets, although territorial rights and scheduling arrangements have meant that programming is coordinated with sister network FanDuel Sports Network Florida rather than divided into strictly separate geographic identities. The service began broadcasting on March 4, 1988, as Sunshine Network. It was created as a joint venture involving 11 cable companies and Home Sports Entertainment and initially operated as an affiliate of Prime Network. In its early years, the channel combined local sports with some public-affairs programming. Florida did not yet have a Major League Baseball team when the service launched, so its schedule included games involving out-of-state clubs such as the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins, alongside college sports from institutions including the University of Central Florida, Florida State University, Stetson University and Jacksonville University. Sunshine Network acquired an important early local property when it obtained rights to the Orlando Magic during the franchise's inaugural season. It added the expansion Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992 and the expansion Florida Marlins in 1993. The Marlins relationship later changed: in 1997, approximately half of the team's schedule moved to SportsChannel Florida, and the full schedule moved there the following season. The network's relationship with Fox's regional sports operation also evolved. Although most Prime Network affiliates became Fox Sports Net outlets in 1996, Sunshine Network retained its name rather than adopting the proposed Fox Sports Sunshine identity. Fox Sports Net programming was later transferred to the newly renamed Fox Sports Net Florida in early 2000. The channel adopted the name Sun Sports on January 18, 2005, emphasizing its sports-only role. It became part of the regional sports network assets transferred from News Corporation to 21st Century Fox in 2013 and was renamed Fox Sports Sun on October 4, 2015. A proposed 2017 acquisition of the regional Fox Sports Networks by The Walt Disney Company was blocked by the United States Department of Justice because Disney already owned ESPN. The networks were subsequently sold to Sinclair Broadcast Group and Entertainment Studios through Diamond Holdings in 2019. Following a naming-rights agreement between Sinclair and Bally's Corporation, Fox Sports Sun became Bally Sports Sun on March 31, 2021. Diamond Sports Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2023. The channel also experienced a significant carriage dispute with Comcast's Xfinity service in 2024: programming was removed on May 1 and restored on August 1, but on a more expensive tier. In October 2024, Diamond announced a sponsorship and branding agreement with FanDuel Group. Bally Sports Sun consequently became FanDuel Sports Network Sun on October 21, 2024. FanDuel received an option to acquire up to a 5 percent minority interest in Diamond after its emergence from bankruptcy. The network's programming has included regional rights to Miami Heat NBA games, Tampa Bay Lightning NHL games and Tampa Bay Rays MLB games, as well as shared or coordinated rights involving the Orlando Magic and Florida-based baseball teams. It also carries team-oriented studio shows, collegiate insider programming, fishing and outdoor programs, and selected content supplied by FanDuel TV. Separate Miami, Tampa and Orlando feeds support league-defined territorial restrictions and local scheduling. The service's long-term sports portfolio has been affected by rights changes and the financial restructuring of its parent group, including the Light…
History
FanDuel Sports Network Sun traces its history to Sunshine Network, which launched in Florida on March 4, 1988. The original service was established by a consortium of 11 cable companies and Home Sports Entertainment and was affiliated with Prime Network. Its early schedule mixed regional and national sports with limited public-affairs content. Because Florida had no Major League Baseball franchise at launch, Sunshine carried selected games involving teams from other markets, including the Rangers, Astros, Tigers, Orioles and Twins, while also presenting college events involving UCF, Florida State, Stetson and Jacksonville. The network quickly developed a local identity through professional team rights. It secured the Orlando Magic during the franchise's first season and added the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992. The following year it acquired rights involving the expansion Florida Marlins. The Marlins package was partially transferred to SportsChannel Florida in 1997 and moved there completely for the following season. Fox's regional sports reorganization in 1996 changed the broader competitive environment: most Prime Network affiliates relaunched as Fox Sports Net outlets, but Sunshine retained its established name. Fox Sports Net programming was moved from Sunshine to the renamed Fox Sports Net Florida in early 2000. Sunshine Network changed its name to Sun Sports in January 2005. The network later became part of the regional sports assets transferred to 21st Century Fox in 2013, and it adopted the Fox Sports Sun name in October 2015. The proposed Disney acquisition of the Fox regional sports networks in 2017 was blocked by the Justice Department in 2018 because of Disney's ownership of ESPN. Sinclair Broadcast Group and Entertainment Studios, through Diamond Holdings, acquired the regional networks in 2019 for a reported $10.6 billion transaction. A subsequent commercial agreement with Bally's Corporation produced the Bally Sports branding, which replaced Fox Sports Sun on March 31, 2021. Diamond Sports Group's Chapter 11 filing in March 2023 placed the regional network business under financial and operational pressure. Distribution problems became visible in 2024 when Comcast removed Bally Sports Sun from Xfinity during a carriage dispute. The channels returned several months later, but on a higher-priced service tier. Diamond then reached a naming-rights arrangement with FanDuel Group. The rebrand to FanDuel Sports Network Sun took effect on October 21, 2024, with FanDuel receiving an option for a minority stake of up to 5 percent if Diamond emerged from bankruptcy. The service has maintained separate Miami, Tampa and Orlando feeds to accommodate league territorial rules and scheduling. It has historically shared or coordinated rights with FanDuel Sports Network Florida, with the two outlets carrying games involving the Heat, Magic, Rays and Florida Marlins according to territorial exclusivity and simultaneous game schedules. Its broader programming mix includes live games, team studio shows, Florida State and Florida Gators insider content, and fishing and outdoor series such as the Chevy Florida Insider Fishing Report and Sportsman's Adventures. Rights changes announced in 2025 and 2026 further reduced its direct team portfolio, including the Lightning's move to Scripps Sports, the reported end of the Rays agreement and an expanded WPLG arrangement for Miami Heat telecasts.
- 2026
Reported Rays and Heat rights changes
[1]The Rays were reported to have ended their agreement, while WPLG and the Heat announced an expanded local telecast arrangement for the 2026–27 season.
- 2025
Lightning broadcasts move toward Scripps Sports
[1]The Tampa Bay Lightning announced a future local broadcast arrangement involving Scripps Sports and WXPX-TV.
- 2024
FanDuel Sports Network Sun name adopted
[1]The FanDuel branding became effective on October 21 after Diamond announced the naming-rights agreement.
- 2023
Parent company enters bankruptcy
[1]Diamond Sports Group filed for Chapter 11 protection on March 14.
- 2021
Bally Sports Sun branding introduced
[1]Fox Sports Sun was rebranded Bally Sports Sun on March 31.
- 2019
Regional Fox Sports networks sold to Diamond Holdings
[1]Sinclair Broadcast Group and Entertainment Studios acquired the regional networks after the Disney transaction was blocked.
- 2015
Sun Sports becomes Fox Sports Sun
[1]The network adopted the Fox Sports Sun brand on October 4.
- 2005
Sunshine Network becomes Sun Sports
[1]The channel changed its name to emphasize its sports-focused identity.
- 1993
Florida Marlins rights added
[1]The network added coverage of Florida's new Major League Baseball franchise.
- 1992
Tampa Bay Lightning rights added
[1]Sunshine Network obtained rights connected with the newly established Tampa Bay Lightning.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Products and positioning
A Florida-focused regional sports television service built around local team rights, live game coverage, studio analysis and outdoor sports programming.
Sports television · 1988
Regional live sports telecasts
The network's core offering is live and tape-delayed coverage of professional and collegiate events distributed through Florida cable systems and, nationally, through DirecTV. Historically prominent properties have included the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Rays and Florida Marlins, subject to changing rights agreements.
Sports news and analysis
Studio and team programming
Pre-game, halftime, post-game and insider programs provide analysis, interviews, reports and team-focused coverage. The schedule has included programming associated with the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles.
Outdoor television
Outdoor and fishing programming
FanDuel Sports Network Sun also carries outdoor programming, with a particular emphasis on Florida saltwater and freshwater fishing. Examples include the Chevy Florida Insider Fishing Report and Sportsman's Adventures.
Professional wrestling television · 2003
MLW Underground TV
From 2003 to 2004, the channel aired Major League Wrestling's taped weekly program MLW Underground TV, featuring footage from earlier MLW events.
Brand decisions
2026
Reported changes to Rays and Heat distributionOtherBackground
Financial difficulties affecting Main Street Sports Group were reported alongside changes in Florida team television agreements.
Action taken
The Tampa Bay Rays were reported to have terminated their rights deal, while the Miami Heat and WPLG announced expanded local coverage beginning in the 2026–27 season.
Aftermath
Major League Baseball was reported to be taking over production of Rays telecasts and launching Rays.TV for the 2026 season; the Heat arrangement further expanded broadcast distribution outside the regional network.
2025
Exit Tampa Bay Lightning rights arrangementOtherBackground
The Lightning announced a change in its local television distribution strategy.
Action taken
Main Street Sports Group opted out of its contract, and Scripps Sports with WXPX-TV was announced as the succeeding local broadcast outlet.
Aftermath
The change reduced FanDuel Sports Network Sun's direct professional team rights in the Tampa Bay market.
2024
Rebrand as FanDuel Sports Network SunStrategyBackground
Diamond Sports Group reached a new sponsorship arrangement with FanDuel Group while continuing its bankruptcy restructuring.
Action taken
The network adopted FanDuel Sports Network Sun branding on October 21. FanDuel received an option to acquire up to a 5 percent minority stake after Diamond's emergence from bankruptcy.
Aftermath
The FanDuel identity replaced the Bally brand across the regional sports network portfolio, with some programming treatments downplaying the branding during high-school sports coverage.
2021
Adopt Bally Sports brandingStrategyBackground
Sinclair and Diamond sought a new commercial naming partner for the regional sports networks.
Action taken
Fox Sports Sun became Bally Sports Sun on March 31, coinciding with the broader regional network rebrand.
Aftermath
The channel operated under the Bally name until October 2024.
2015
Adopt the Fox Sports Sun identityStrategyBackground
Fox's regional sports portfolio used a common brand architecture for its local networks.
Action taken
Sun Sports was renamed Fox Sports Sun on October 4, 2015.
Aftermath
The channel retained the Fox Sports identity until the later Bally Sports and FanDuel Sports Network rebrands.
Recent events
- 2026
Tampa Bay Rays terminate FanDuel Sports Network rights agreement[1]
Other · Product generation
The Rays reportedly ended their rights arrangement with FanDuel Sports Network. Major League Baseball was subsequently reported to be taking over production of Rays telecasts and launching Rays.TV for the 2026 season.
- 2026
Miami Heat expand local television agreement with WPLG[1]
Other
WPLG and the Miami Heat announced an expanded arrangement making WPLG Local 10 the official local television home for Heat telecasts beginning with the 2026–27 season.
- 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning to leave FanDuel Sports Network Sun[1]
Other
The Lightning announced that its local broadcasts would move to Scripps Sports and WXPX-TV after Main Street Sports Group opted out of the existing arrangement.
- 2024
Bally Sports Sun removed from Comcast Xfinity[1]
Lawsuit · Pricing
A carriage dispute led Comcast to remove the channel from Xfinity on May 1. The service returned on August 1, although it was placed on the more expensive Ultimate TV tier.
- 2024
Bally Sports Sun is renamed FanDuel Sports Network Sun[1]
M&A · Other
Diamond Sports Group and FanDuel Group introduced a new naming-rights partnership, changing the channel's name on October 21.
- 2023
Diamond Sports Group files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy[1]
Bankruptcy
The network's parent company entered bankruptcy proceedings amid financial pressure affecting the regional sports network business.
- 2021
Fox Sports Sun becomes Bally Sports Sun[1]
Other
The Florida regional sports channel adopted the Bally Sports name as part of the rebranding of Sinclair's regional sports network portfolio.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/fanduel-sports-network-sun · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled