ESPN and Major League Baseball Part Ways After More Than Three Decades
Disney’s (NYSE:DIS) ESPN and Major League Baseball (MLB) have officially announced that their decades-long broadcast partnership will conclude after the 2025 season. The decision follows MLB’s dissatisfaction with ESPN’s reduced baseball coverage and its request to lower rights fees.
A Historic Partnership Comes to an End
ESPN has been a key broadcaster of MLB games since 1990. Under their most recent agreement, signed in 2021, ESPN was paying an average of $550 million per season. However, a mutual opt-out clause with a deadline of March 1 allowed both parties to re-evaluate the deal. With ESPN aiming to negotiate a reduced rights fee, MLB deemed the proposed changes unacceptable, leading to the agreement’s termination.
ESPN’s Shift Toward Streaming Deals
The sports network indicated that it remains interested in a new deal but at a lower price, citing recent streaming agreements made by Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Roku (NASDAQ:ROKU). Apple currently pays $85 million per season for a Friday night package, while Roku secured a Sunday afternoon game deal for $10 million per year. ESPN’s willingness to pursue a similar agreement highlights the shifting landscape of sports broadcasting toward digital platforms.
MLB Eyes New Broadcast Partners for 2026 and Beyond
With ESPN stepping away, MLB is actively exploring alternative media and streaming partnerships for the 2026 season and beyond. The league has emphasized that there is strong interest from both traditional networks and streaming services looking to secure broadcasting rights.
Strong Viewership and Attendance Trends
Despite the looming departure of ESPN, MLB remains in a strong position. The 2024 season saw the highest live attendance in seven years, with approximately 71.3 million fans attending games. Additionally, ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball recorded its best viewership in five years, signaling continued demand for live baseball coverage.
What’s Next for MLB Broadcasting?
As ESPN exits, MLB has an opportunity to capitalize on its growing fan base by securing new, potentially more lucrative broadcast deals. With increased demand for live sports content from both traditional networks and streaming giants, the league’s next move could reshape the future of baseball broadcasting.
