Sinclair Broadcast Group Establishes Fund To Provide Advances for RSN Freelancers

Eligible workers can get an interest-free advance beginning April 3

Sinclair Broadcast Group has established a multimillion-dollar emergency fund to offer financial support to nearly 1,000 eligible freelancers who work across its Fox Regional Sports Networks, as well as the Marquee Sports Network. As part of the fund, all eligible freelancers will be able to receive an immediate $2,500 interest-free advance beginning on Friday, April 3. The fund is being launched in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has indefinitely halted the production of live sports and the work of freelancers at RSNs across the country.

“This is an unprecedented time for the world and the media, but few in our industry are feeling the impacts of the coronavirus more than those who work in sports,” Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley said in a statement. “Across the nation, these nearly 1,000 freelancers work tirelessly season after season to bring fans the best in live sports. As we face this extraordinary event, we are hoping that this fund will provide integral assistance to our key team members.”

The $2,500 interest free advance is for eligible freelancers who have worked regularly on a regional sports network’s games in a home market last year. The advance can be made up in small deductions once the games return.

“Clearly we are in uncharted waters, but hopefully the ability to immediately draw from this fund will make a real difference for our dedicated production community,” said Jeff Krolik, Sinclair’s president of local sports. “We expect that the postponement of games is indeed just that — a postponement — and that ultimately the games will be played.”

Editor’s note: This story has been updated from a previous version with the official Sinclair press release.