Super Bowl Is Key Proving Ground for a Slimmed-Down Fox

Broadcaster woos Miami visitors with Ferris wheel, Lego tie-in
With new TV rights on the line, Fox Corp. wants to shine

Cyclists ride past the FOX Sports South Beach studio compound prior to the Super Bowl.
Photographer: Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images North America

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Christopher Palmeri and Eben Novy-Williams

January 31, 2020 at 12:00 PM UTC

Updated on

January 31, 2020 at 3:38 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Sunday’s Super Bowl is Rupert Murdoch’s chance to prove his smaller, leaner TV company is still big enough for the NFL.

After selling the Fox movie studio and several cable networks to Walt Disney Co. last year for $71 billion, the new Fox Corp. is pinning its future on live sports, news and events -- especially pro football, the all-important American Sunday ritual. On Monday, Fox Sports 1 began broadcasting 12 hours a day live from Miami ahead of the most-watched event on TV. It’s also using the airtime to highlight Fox coverage of Nascar racing and WWE wrestling.