The distribution of Major League Baseball games could look very different next year as ESPN’s TV rights contract is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season.
The two sides mutually agreed to end their deal as opposed to extending a relationship that began more than three decades ago. It was recently reported MLB and ESPN reopened talks to see if they can continue working with each other beyond the 2025 season, even if under a different structure.
However, that hasn’t stopped other networks and streaming services such as Amazon, Apple, Fox, NBC and Netflix from entering the conversation.
Commissioner Rob Manfred said he’s hoping to have the MLB TV rights situation resolved in the next few weeks, via Awful Announcing:
“We’re having very detailed conversations with a number of parties, including ESPN. We hope to have it resolved in the next couple of weeks. It’s a little bit like a jigsaw puzzle we’re trying to put together. But we will have it resolved in the next few weeks.”
Earlier this year, Manfred said he believed new MLB agreements with partners to replace ESPN would be reached before the All-Star Game.
It appears MLB wants to keep ESPN involved in some capacity, even if that entails selling part of their current TV rights deal to other entities.
ESPN currently holds the rights to “Sunday Night Baseball” games, the Wild Card Series and Home Run Derby, but all of those events will likely be broadcast on different platforms next year.
A recent report suggested that Peacock (NBC) or Apple TV+ could take over “Sunday Night Baseball” and the Wild Card Series, while the Home Run Derby may find its way to Netflix.
That would leave ESPN with a smaller package such as weekday MLB games. An earlier report also indicated that the self-proclaimed “worldwide leader in sports” could look to acquire the rights to MLB.TV for their new app that is launching on Aug. 21.
What MLB TV rights contracts mean for fans
MLB looking to split up its expiring package among multiple networks and streaming services would be a negative outcome for fans as it will require them to have more networks and services.
However, the multiple broadcasting partners would likely lead to more revenue for MLB in the long run.
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