https://phys.org/news/2018-07-fcc-sinclair-tribune.html

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai says Sinclair might still be able to operate the stations "in practice, even if not in name." One potential buyer is the Cunningham Group, which has ties to Sinclair's founding family.

Pai is ordering a hearing on Sinclair's proposed acquisition of Tribune. Even ordering a hearing could stop a potential deal. The last deal an FCC hearing blocked was a 2002 merger of satellite TV companies DirecTV and Echostar.

                                                            
                                    
                                    Explore further: 

Sinclair to sell 7 TV stations to Fox to win regulatory OK