Scripps Sports Secures Exclusive Local Broadcast Rights for Denver Summit FC
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 18 2025
0mins
Should l Buy SSP?
Source: Globenewswire
- Exclusive Broadcast Agreement: Scripps Sports has secured a multiyear deal to air all non-nationally exclusive matches of Denver Summit FC on local stations Denver7 and The Spot Denver 3, further solidifying its position in women's professional sports.
- Market Commitment: This move not only strengthens Scripps Sports' existing partnership with the NWSL but also demonstrates the company's ongoing support for women's sports, including coverage of the WNBA and other leagues.
- Community Connection: Scripps Sports President Brian Lawlor stated that this collaboration will connect Denver's soccer community with their new team, enhancing local engagement with women's professional soccer.
- Season Schedule: The complete local broadcast schedule for Denver Summit FC will be released after the NWSL national calendar is announced, marking the team's upcoming inaugural season in 2026.
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Analyst Views on SSP
Wall Street analysts forecast SSP stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for SSP is 7.00 USD with a low forecast of 3.00 USD and a high forecast of 10.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
3 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 3.260
Low
3.00
Averages
7.00
High
10.00
Current: 3.260
Low
3.00
Averages
7.00
High
10.00
About SSP
The E.W. Scripps Company is a diverse media enterprise that serves audiences and businesses through a portfolio of more than 60 local television stations in more than 40 markets and national news and entertainment networks. Its Local Media segment includes more than 60 local television stations and their related digital operations. Its television station group includes approximately 25% of the nation’s television households and includes 18 ABC affiliates, 11 NBC affiliates, nine CBS affiliates and four FOX affiliates. It also has seven CW affiliates-four on full power stations and three on multicast; seven independent stations and 10 additional low power stations. Its Scripps Networks segment includes national news outlets Scripps News and Court TV, as well as entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Defy TV, Grit, ION Mystery and Laff. The networks reach nearly every United States television home through free over-the-air broadcast, cable/satellite, connected TV, and digital distribution.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Systemic Issues Exposed: The investigation revealed systemic failures in Michigan's police departments, where officers with repeated misconduct were rehired by other agencies, highlighting significant public safety concerns.
- Legislative Impact: WXYZ's reporting catalyzed new legislation, leading to the suspension of law enforcement licenses for multiple officers and the criminal conviction of one, demonstrating the media's role in driving social change.
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- Educational Resources Provided: The News Literacy Project collaborates with E.W. Scripps Company and USA TODAY to offer free teaching resources for educators, helping students develop the skills necessary to assess the reliability of information and strengthen their critical thinking.
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- Conference Call Timing: The company's senior management will host a conference call on February 26, 2026, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time, allowing analysts and investors to engage with the latest updates from the company.
- Participation Method: Participants must register on a designated website to receive the dial-in number and PIN code, ensuring smooth access for questions or listening during the call, thereby enhancing interaction with management.
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- Award-Winning Investigation: E.W. Scripps' WXYZ-TV has been honored with the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award for its in-depth investigation 'Shielded,' showcasing excellence in public service journalism.
- Systemic Issues Exposed: The investigation revealed systemic failures in Michigan's police departments, where officers with repeated misconduct were rehired by other agencies, highlighting significant public safety concerns.
- Legislative Impact: WXYZ's reporting catalyzed new legislation, leading to the suspension of law enforcement licenses for multiple officers and the criminal conviction of one, demonstrating the media's role in driving social change.
- Ongoing Recognition: This marks the third duPont-Columbia Award for the WXYZ team, reinforcing Scripps' leadership in delivering quality, objective local journalism and its commitment to serving communities effectively.
See More
National News Literacy Week Focuses on Credible Information for Teens
- Youth News Literacy Initiative: The seventh annual National News Literacy Week, scheduled for February 2-6, aims to assist teens in identifying credible information, thereby enhancing their trust in news amidst the prevalence of AI-generated content.
- Educational Resources Provided: The News Literacy Project collaborates with E.W. Scripps Company and USA TODAY to offer free teaching resources for educators, helping students develop the skills necessary to assess the reliability of information and strengthen their critical thinking.
- Trust Survey Findings: A recent study by the News Literacy Project reveals that 84% of U.S. teens hold negative views of the press, often perceiving journalism as inaccurate, highlighting the critical need for educating youth on how to evaluate information.
- Importance of Local Journalism: The senior vice president of USA TODAY Network emphasizes the crucial role of local journalism in helping readers understand community dynamics, particularly in an era of AI-generated falsehoods, making it essential to cultivate teens' information evaluation skills.
See More
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- Clear Acquisition Intent: Sinclair has reiterated its willingness to engage in merger discussions with E.W. Scripps, but Scripps has refused to communicate with its largest shareholder, indicating a strained relationship that may hinder future collaboration.
- Rejection of Acquisition Offer: Scripps rejected Sinclair's $7 per share cash and stock offer last month, indicating a preference for executing its standalone plan, which may prompt Sinclair to adopt more aggressive strategies moving forward.
- Shareholder Structure Impact: Sinclair has held over an 8% stake in Scripps since November, and may initiate a proxy fight for board seats, intensifying competition and confrontation between the two companies.
- Ongoing Business Review: Sinclair also stated that its strategic review of its broadcast business and the separation of Ventures will continue, indicating that the company is seeking internal optimization and strategic adjustments beyond the acquisition attempts.
See More
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- Earnings Release Schedule: E.W. Scripps Company will report its Q4 2025 operating results after market close on February 25, 2026, providing investors with insights into its financial performance and market trends.
- Conference Call Timing: The company's senior management will host a conference call on February 26, 2026, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time, allowing analysts and investors to engage with the latest updates from the company.
- Participation Method: Participants must register on a designated website to receive the dial-in number and PIN code, ensuring smooth access for questions or listening during the call, thereby enhancing interaction with management.
- Replay Availability: Approximately four hours after the call, a replay will be accessible on the company’s website, allowing investors who could not attend live to obtain key information.
See More
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- Exclusive Broadcast Agreement: Varsity Spirit has secured a multi-year exclusive deal with Scripps Sports to broadcast all five inaugural Pro Cheer League events live on ION, reaching every U.S. TV household, marking a historic entry of professional sports into cheerleading.
- Event Schedule: The Pro Cheer League will kick off on January 16, 2026, in Indianapolis and culminate with the championship finals on March 27 in Nashville, featuring high-energy performances and skill challenges that promise to captivate audiences and elevate the sport's profile.
- Market Expansion: This partnership not only provides a national platform for athletes and fans but also aims to inspire a new generation of athletes to pursue professional careers, thereby fostering the growth of cheerleading as a recognized sport.
- Content Richness: The agreement, coordinated with partners like Paramount Global Content Distribution, emphasizes delivering dynamic, fan-focused experiences through live matches and unscripted content, ensuring viewers remain engaged throughout the season.
See More
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M&A Activity Overview: Despite high-profile megadeals in 2025, overall U.S. mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity saw a decline in transaction volume compared to the previous year, with approximately 13,900 deals recorded, down from 15,940 in 2024.
Impact of Economic Factors: The sluggishness in dealmaking was attributed to tariff uncertainties, high interest rates, and a complex regulatory environment under the Trump administration, which created a cautious atmosphere among executives and bankers.
Sector-Specific Trends: While deal value increased significantly due to large transactions, middle-market deal volume remained low, particularly in the automotive and retail sectors, which faced challenges from tariffs and changing consumer dynamics.
Future Outlook: As the year progressed, there was a resurgence in deal activity, particularly in the banking sector, with expectations for a more active M&A landscape in 2026, driven by a more favorable regulatory environment and ongoing consolidation trends.
See More
