Indians near sale of SportsTime Ohio to Fox Sports

Fox Sports is close to acquiring SportsTime Ohio for a reported $250 million, according to The Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes. STO is owned by Cleveland Indians owner Larry Dolan, and the sale is expected to increase the rights fees for broadcasting Indians games from $30 million to $40 million. The increased rights fees could be used to help bolster the Indians roster. The sale is expected to be completed this month.

STO was the subject of a bidding war between Fox and Time Warner, as both companies wanted to have the rights to broadcast Indians games. Fox used to broadcast Indians games on Fox Sports Ohio before STO was launched in 2006.

STO also holds the rights to Mid-American Conference games, as well as Ohio high school football. Fox Sports already holds the rights to the Cincinnati Reds, Columbus Blue Jackets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Columbus Crew, and Cincinnati and Dayton college sports.