Main League Baseball’s long-standing relationship with ESPN is formally winding down, and Commissioner Rob Manfred is not thrilled with how the information turned public.
Talking on Mad Canine Unleashed, Manfred addressed the state of affairs candidly when requested if ESPN’s choice to choose out of its MLB broadcast deal was a shock. “Nicely, I didn’t need to see it. I might learn it,” Manfred mentioned, referencing leaks that surfaced months earlier than the official announcement. “There have been leaks going again a 12 months. [It’s] unlucky that was the mode of communication.”
“Have been you stunned when ESPN mentioned they needed to choose out of the contract… or did you see it coming?” –@MadDogUnleashed
“Nicely I did not need to see it. I might learn it. There have been leaks going again a 12 months. [It’s] unlucky that was the mode of communication.” -Rob Manfred 👀 pic.twitter.com/usgq9rxp2Y— Mad Canine Sports activities Radio (@MadDogRadio) March 26, 2025
MLB and ESPN mutually agreed to terminate their present broadcast deal, initially set to run by means of 2028. A March 1 opt-out deadline gave either side the choice to stroll away from the ultimate three years of their seven-year, $3.85 billion settlement that started in 2022. ESPN will proceed to broadcast video games by means of the 2025 season however will exit after that.
Rob Manfred is not proud of the way in which MLB and ESPN’s relationship got here to an finish
The community, which has carried MLB video games since 1990, mentioned in a press release, “We’re grateful for our longstanding relationship with Main League Baseball… We utilized the identical self-discipline and monetary accountability that has constructed ESPN’s industry-leading reside occasions portfolio as we proceed to develop our viewers throughout linear, digital and social platforms.”
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In recent times, ESPN had scaled again its baseball programming. The present settlement solely consists of 30 regular-season video games (primarily Sunday Night time Baseball), 10 spring coaching video games, the Dwelling Run Derby, and the wild-card spherical of the playoffs. This marked a big discount from the earlier eight-year deal, which featured as much as 90 regular-season broadcasts and the now-defunct day by day present Baseball Tonight.
MLB took challenge with ESPN’s reducing curiosity. “Sadly lately, now we have seen ESPN cut back their baseball protection and funding in a method that isn’t according to the game’s attraction or efficiency on their platform,” the league mentioned. It known as ESPN’s demand for lowered rights charges “unacceptable.”
With ESPN on the way in which out, MLB now turns its consideration to new companions. In keeping with Puck’s John Ourand, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and NBC have all entered exploratory conversations with the league—primarily concerning the bigger nationwide broadcast rights obtainable after 2028. Nevertheless, there’s additionally curiosity in components of ESPN’s outgoing bundle, together with the coveted Dwelling Run Derby, which Fox Sports activities has reportedly expressed curiosity in airing.
Manfred beforehand knowledgeable MLB’s 30 staff house owners that ESPN’s shrinking subscriber base and minimal baseball protection outdoors of reside broadcasts performed into the league’s choice. Whereas ESPN maintains the opt-out wasn’t completely mutual, MLB’s response signifies the separation was not avoidable.
Because the 2026 season nears, MLB will goal to capitalize on rising streaming alternatives whereas searching for a broadcast associate that higher aligns with its long-term media technique.
“We shall be exploring these alternatives,” the league mentioned, “with important curiosity from each conventional media firms and streaming companies.”