OREANDA-NEWS. April 20, 2015. Enhanced financial stability and flexibility across investment-grade sports franchises is expected to continue to grow, according to Infra-Read, Fitch Ratings' semi-annual infrastructure newsletter. National television contracts currently accounting for over 50% of revenues for some investment-grade sports franchises, and local media contracts add another 10-20%.

'The growth in local media rights should lead to more media company financing structures, similar to some stadium or arena company financing structures, where facility collateral is placed in a special purpose vehicle, away from the operations of the team. The expected deal pipeline should be robust,' said Chad Lewis, Senior Director.

Other topics covered in the issue include:

--Recent ratings commentary highlights
--Transportation including TIFIA, PPP Availability Transactions, and Indiana Toll Road bankruptcy
--Energy and Industrials including Brazilian Wind PPAs, Freeport approval, and DOE Loan Guarantee extension

For more information, a special report titled 'Infra-Read' is available on the Fitch Ratings web site at 'www.fitchratings.com'.