Let’s talk about Major League Baseball—specifically, the potential shake-up between MLB and ESPN. This is no small matter. We’re talking about a four-decade partnership that could be on the verge of collapse.
After 40 years of broadcasting America’s pastime, ESPN might just pack up its bats and leave the diamond behind. Before you start panicking about where you’ll watch Sunday Night Baseball, let’s break this down.
ESPN is locked in as MLB’s national broadcast partner through 2025. No changes there. But the real question is what happens after that.
The network has a mutual opt-out clause for the final three years of its contract (2026-2028), and according to insiders, ESPN is seriously considering pulling the plug.
ESPN’s Changing Playbook
And here’s where things get interesting—because MLB isn’t just sitting back and hoping for the best.
Commissioner Rob Manfred made it clear: the league is constantly in talks with ESPN, but both sides have big decisions to make. With ESPN paying MLB an average of $550 million a season, it’s no small contract.
Compare that to the $85 million Apple shells out for its rights or the $10 million Roku is paying, and you see why MLB might not be so eager to walk away.
But let’s be real—ESPN is evolving. The network is gearing up to launch a direct-to-consumer streaming service and is hungry for local broadcasting rights.
That’s the real play here. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro has already hinted at a future where the network might bypass traditional national deals and cut direct partnerships with individual teams instead.
That makes sense, right? With more people cutting the cord, ESPN needs a way to stay relevant.
MLB’s Billion-Dollar Vision
So, could there still be a deal? Sure. Just look at MLB’s messy courtroom battles with Diamond Sports Group—despite all the fighting, they still managed to work something out.
But if ESPN and MLB do come back together, expect a totally different type of agreement. ESPN might want a say in how teams distribute their games locally, and MLB might hesitate to hand over too much power.
Meanwhile, Manfred is playing the long game. He’s eyeing a much bigger payday when the league’s current national TV deals with Turner and FOX expire in 2028.
If MLB can repackage its media rights and follow the NBA’s lead—remember, the NBA just secured a $77 billion media deal—then baseball could be looking at a massive windfall.
What This Means for MLB Fans
First, Major League Baseball has to sort out its local TV mess. Some teams, like the Red Sox, already have relationships with ESPN through their own regional networks.
Others are scrambling for new homes as regional sports networks struggle to survive. This is the puzzle Manfred has to solve before he can cash in on those big, billion-dollar dreams.
One thing’s for sure—whatever happens, baseball fans better be ready for some major changes in how they watch their favorite teams. And if ESPN does walk away? MLB will have to find a new heavy-hitter to take its place.
