Tribune’s announcement that it ended the buyout agreement with Sinclair this week represents the end of a year-long battle between SFC, business interests, and other public interest advocates and Sinclair. Now that the $3.9 Billion takeover is over, let’s look at a few of the highlights that created a true underdog story.

Today, Brian Hess along with Gene Kimmelman, President, Public Knowledge; Gigi Sohn, Distinguished Fellow, Institute for Technology Law and Policy, Georgetown University Law Center; and Andrew Schwartzman, Benton Senior Counselor, Institute for Public Representation, Georgetown University Law Center sent the below letter to the Tribune Media Board of Directors. The letter encourages the Board to immediately withdraw from the merger with Sinclair Broadcasting. You can view a PDF of the letter here. 

Sports have always had a spooky side. Son of Sam stalked the Yankees’ backyard in the 1970s. The Gipper haunts Notre Dame. But today, one of the scariest stories in sports is the tale of David Smith, Executive Chairman of Sinclair Broadcasting Group.

Ever since Sports Fans Coalition came out against the proposed Sinclair/Tribune merger, we have watched as Official Washington seems to be greasing the gears for this anti-fan deal.  In the latest twist, following FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's proposal to eliminate the Main Studio Rule, the FCC voted today 3-2 to eliminate the rule. Now, without the rule, Sinclair won't even have to pretend like they’re local.

Last week we announced our opposition to the Sinclair/Tribune merger. We’ve received quite a few questions since our announcement and we wanted to address them here: