News Corporation has faced months of criticism from British officials over phone hacking. But on Tuesday, the media conglomerate faced a potentially more vehement group: Yankees haters.
Under a deal just confirmed, News Corporation will gain 49 percent control of the YES Network, the cable channel partly owned by Yankee Global Enterprises that broadcasts Yankees games and pre- and postgame commentary. The deal gives News Corporation media rights to Yankees games broadcast on YES through 2042.
For baseball fans who already disliked the Yankees, a k a the Evil Empire, adding News Corporation into the mix — with its chief executive, Rupert Murdoch, and influential Fox News channel — was more than enough to get an online storm brewing.
Here are a few:
Axis of Evil: Rupert Murdoch (owner of Fox News) now owns 49% of the Yankees’ YES network. Yet another reason to cheer for the Braves.
News Corp. buying 49% stake in #Yankees Cable Net (YES). Me thinks Rupert Murdoch will buy the team just to troll @keitholbermann
As part of News Corp deal, Yankees will remain on YES until at least 2042, by which point Jeter’s defensive range could be a major issue.
News corp aka Fox News purchases part of YES the Yankees network so now when Yanks lose it will be fault of the liberal biased umpires #FB