Donna Orender feels RSN business still good 'at the right number'

Former WNBA President Donna Orender now runs her own consultancy firm, Orender Unlimited. Nearly 40 years ago, Orender was an exec at the Dolan family’s SportsChannel, which was one of the first RSNs.

Orender appeared on a panel at the recent NACDA show in Orlando that I co-moderated with Abe Madkour. As someone who was there nearly at the beginning of the amazing growth RSNs experienced, I asked for her opinion on the future of regional sports.

Orender said RSNs still are a good business. It’s their current rights deals that are troubling. “They're a good business at the right number, just like any other business. They've overpaid for rights. I'm not saying that the leagues do not deserve money. ... It's a simple math proposition.”