LL Cool J and Ice Cube are joining forces to buy a sports television network.
According to TMZ Sports LL Cool J is now a part of a powerful group looking to bid on 22 regional sports channels including the YES Network. the network that Disney is being forced to sell off by the Justice Dept.
Disney received the 22 stations as part of its $71 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox. But, officials believe that since Disney is already the majority owner of ESPN, controlling the 22 sports stations would give them too much power in the sports TV landscape.
The 22 stations involved in the deal include everything from Fox Sports San Diego to Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Sports Detroit, Fox Sports Southwest and more.
The crown jewel is the YES Network based in New York, they have the rights to broadcast Yankees games. Disney thinks YES alone is worth between $5 and $6 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The deal for all 22 stations is expected to be anywhere from $15 to $25 billion.
Some of the potential bidders that have emerged are real heavy hitters from private equity titans like Apollo Global Management and Blackstone Group to the Sinclair Broadcast Group.
Ice Cube and LL Cool J have a powerful partner in billionaire Alex and Ani jewelry founder Carolyn Rafaelian.
Sources tell TMZ Sports the group is also in talks with other sports and cultural icons who are interested in participating in the bid.
Initial bids are due Nov. 8.
