Track Net/Mid-Atlantic GAIN AGREEMENT..

[Kasept]

Mid-Atlantic simulcast dispute is settled
By Marty McGee

http://www.drf.com/news/article/110317.html

An agreement has been reached in the months-long stalemate that precluded racing fans in seven Mid-Atlantic states from wagering on signals from major North American tracks, it was announced Friday by representatives of the companies on both sides of the dispute.

TrackNet Media, which controls the rights to simulcast signals from tracks such as Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita, Fair Grounds, and Oaklawn Park, has agreed to terms with the MidAtlantic Cooperative, a coalition of simulcast sites. A contract between the two groups had expired on Oct. 31, and the failure to reach a new deal prior to Friday had prevented the simulcast sites from offering the TrackNet signals, including that of the entire Churchill Downs fall meet.

Marty Lieberman, executive director of MidAtlantic, said the two sides had agreed to withhold terms of the deal, including the length of the new agreement. Previously, officials involved in the negotiations had said that TrackNet was seeking an increase in the rate for the signals, and was also seeking a one-year term.

"It's been a difficult time for everyone," Lieberman said.

Scott Daruty, chief executive of TrackNet, also declined to provide terms of the deal, and said that TrackNet wanted to "apologize to racing fans for the inconvenience."

"We now have an agreement that makes sense to TrackNet, and makes sense to the MidAtlantic," Daruty said. "Hopefully the fans will reacquaint themselves with what we think are quality racing products."