The Atlanta Braves are one of baseball’s top financial performers. Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. reported third-quarter earnings with a surprising 7% revenue increase, hitting $290.7 million.
With numbers like these, it’s clear the Braves aren’t just swinging for home runs on the field—they’re raking it in financially, too. But, despite the strong results, a cloud looms over their future media revenue. To be specific, in the volatile world of Regional Sports Networks (RSNs).
Here’s where things get a bit messy. The Braves’ TV deal is still tied to Diamond Sports Group (DSG). They are the parent company of FanDuel Sports Networks and formerly Bally Sports. DSG, however, is dealing with a full-blown financial crisis. Diamond filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this year.
They are tangled up in more than $8 billion of debt from Sinclair Broadcast Group’s acquisition of regional networks from Disney back in 2019. While DSG has had to cut ties with other MLB teams, they’re hanging on tightly to the Braves, a prime asset that commands a massive fan base stretching across the southeastern United States.
Braves fans can breathe a little easier now, as DSG has maintained its payments and keeps the games on TV. But how long that will last is anyone’s guess. Even Braves CEO Derek Schiller is cautiously optimistic, acknowledging that bankruptcy hasn’t yet impacted revenue and stressing that there’s no predictable future.
Schiller has good reason to feel confident. The Braves have a uniquely valuable market, reaching fans across a huge geographic territory. If things fall apart with DSG, the Braves could find themselves in a position to capitalize on their own broadcast rights. They could potentially expand their direct connection with fans and tapping new revenue streams. “No matter what happens, we think we are in a very enviable position,” Schiller said, hinting at new possibilities if the team regains control of its broadcast rights.
But while the Braves stay optimistic, fans have had a tough time accessing games due to blackout restrictions and dropped contracts. Earlier this year, Xfinity/Comcast customers lost Bally Sports channels from May through August due to a contract dispute, a frustrating saga for loyal viewers. Bally Sports channels also remain unavailable on streaming giants like YouTube TV and Hulu, meaning that catching a Braves game isn’t as easy as it should be unless you have the right cable package.
This broadcasting tangle has left many fans feeling shut out, and it only worsens with MLB’s notorious blackout policies. For teams that have shifted to MLB-operated broadcasts, blackout restrictions are being lifted on MLB TV streaming. That move that would simplify access if the Braves follow suit. But fans in Atlanta and beyond remain stuck with the current model as long as they’re tied to a traditional RSN.
As it stands, the Braves are thriving on the field and financially, even with an uncertain media landscape on the horizon. With their large market and solid performance, the team seems poised to make the best of any changes. But until then, fans, especially those in Atlanta, will have to stay tuned to see where and how they’ll be able to watch their team next season.
