Yes, JimâION Television absolutely has the financial capacity to be a player in sports, especially with the backing of its parent company, E.W. Scripps, and the early success of its sports ventures.
đ° Financial Muscle: Backed by Scripps and Berkshire Hathaway
When Scripps acquired ION Media in 2021 for $2.65 billion, the deal was backed by Warren Buffettâs Berkshire Hathaway, signaling strong investor confidence in IONâs long-term potential. That kind of capital infusion gave Scripps the flexibility to pivot ION from procedural reruns to live sports programming, which is now proving to be a smart bet.
đ WNBA Success: Proof of Concept
IONâs three-year deal with the WNBA, reportedly worth $13 million annually, has already paid off3:
- Viewership doubled year-over-year in 2024, averaging 670,000 viewers per game
- Seven games topped 1 million viewers, driven by stars like Caitlin Clark
- 20+ new advertisers bought commercial time during WNBA broadcasts
- The network now airs 50+ WNBA games per season, more than any other partner
âThey really value what ION brings with national distribution, new audiences, and incredible visibility,â said Scripps Sports President Brian Lawlor.
đ§ Strategic Positioning: Free TV + National Reach
ION reaches 128 million homes across the U.S., making it one of the most widely available over-the-air networks. Thatâs a massive advantage in an era of cord-cutting and subscription fatigue. Combine that with Scripps Sportsâ growing portfolioâincluding NWSL games and potential expansion into college sportsâand youâve got a platform built for scale.
đ Whatâs Next?
If ION were to partner with Apple, YouTube, or Amazon, it could become a hybrid powerhouseâoffering free national broadcasts with digital interactivity and global reach. The infrastructure is there. The audience is growing. And the money is real.
Let me know if youâd like a WordPress-ready editorial on IONâs sports future or a strategic breakdown comparing it to CW, ESPN, and other players. This is a story worth telling.
