A compelling new wrinkle in the unfolding Main Street Sports Group saga is one that could significantly reshape the local broadcast future for the Atlanta Braves.
Braves and Angels Chart a Different Course
According to reports, two MLB franchises, the Braves and the Los Angeles Angels, have opted not to follow the same path as the other seven MLB teams affected by MSSG by joining MLB.tv as a broadcast partner. While it had been previously reported that the Braves were unlikely to pursue MLB.tv, the inclusion of the Angels adds a new layer of significance. It suggests that some organizations believe greater value lies in maintaining local control rather than folding into a league-run solution. This divergence highlights a growing philosophical split among MLB clubs as they confront the unraveling of the traditional regional sports network model.
Looking to the NBA for a Blueprint
Perhaps the most intriguing development is the reported inspiration both clubs are drawing from NBA teams. For the Braves, that inspiration appears to come from within their own market. The Atlanta Hawks are viewed as a potential content partner in a new Braves-led network, offering experience and programming support without taking an ownership stake. This distinction is important, as it reflects a cautious approach that prioritizes flexibility and control. The NBA’s relative success in adapting to shifting media realities has not gone unnoticed, and MLB teams appear increasingly willing to borrow elements of that playbook where possible.
A Narrow Window and an Uncertain Future for MSSG
With roughly seven weeks remaining before the start of the MLB regular season, the situation remains fluid but urgent. That timeline leaves just enough room for the Braves to solidify a 2026 broadcast strategy if negotiations and planning fall into place. At the same time, MSSG’s role in baseball appears all but finished. While the company will continue broadcasting NBA and NHL games through the end of the current season, all nine MLB teams have now opted out of their agreements. Even if MSSG were to secure a buyer — something it has thus far failed to do — there is little indication that baseball would return under that structure.
Taken together, these developments underscore a broader shift underway in sports media. The Braves’ willingness to explore an independent network, informed by NBA practices and selective partnerships, signals an aggressive attempt to regain control in a rapidly changing landscape. As the MSSG chapter closes, Atlanta’s approach may serve as an early indicator of where MLB’s local broadcasting future is headed.
