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Preakness Poised to Move Back One Week as TV Rights Battle Intensifies

A one-week delay would give Derby winners more recovery time to keep the Triple Crown chase alive.

Overview

  • Sports Business Journal reported Monday that organizers are likely to push the Preakness back one week, with the timing still under discussion.
  • The proposed shift is tied to new media-rights talks as NBC seeks to retain the race and Fox, Amazon, and Netflix consider bids.
  • Fox, which holds Belmont rights, would back moving Belmont one week later if it also secured the Preakness to keep three weeks between legs.
  • This year’s running stays locked for May 16 at Laurel Park in Maryland because Pimlico is undergoing construction.
  • Supporters say an extra week could keep Kentucky Derby winners from skipping the race after recent absences drove down TV ratings and blunted the Triple Crown narrative.