ESPN and Major League Baseball have decided to end their partnership after the 2025 season, mutually agreeing to terminate their broadcast contract on Thursday.
Reuters:
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred sent a memo to clubs that was obtained by The Athletic, in which he confirmed ESPN had asked the league to “reduce the amount (ESPN) pay for MLB content over the remainder of the term.” Their current deal was for seven years worth $550 million annually, and featured Sunday Night Baseball, the Home Run Derby and wild-card games. But Apple and Roku have since negotiated slimmer packages of games for less cash.
“Furthermore, we have not been pleased with the minimal coverage that MLB has received on ESPN’s platforms over the past several years outside of the actual live game coverage,” Manfred wrote in part.
“While ESPN has stated they would like to continue to have MLB on their platform, particularly in light of the upcoming launch of their DTC product, we do not think its beneficial for us to accept a smaller deal to remain on a shrinking platform. In order to best position MLB to optimize our rights going in to our next deal cycle, we believe it is not prudent to devalue our rights with an existing partner but rather to have our marquee regular season games, Home Run Derby and Wild Card playoff round on a new broadcast and/or streaming platform.”
MacDailyNews Take: ESPN is a shrinking platform, for sure. This opens up a nice opportunity for Apple, which had identified live sports as an eyeball-generator for Apple TV+, to expand their MLB offerings.
Apple TV+ is, of course, already the home of Friday Night Baseball — a weekly Major League Baseball double-header with no local broadcast restrictions.
In October, Apple TV+ announced a new Major League Baseball documentary event offering fans an all-access view on the 2024 World Series.
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Major League Baseball (MLB) and ESPN have mutually agreed to end their national television partnership after the 2025 season, concluding a 35-year relationship. The decision was influenced by ESPN’s desire to reduce its annual rights fee from $550 million and MLB’s dissatisfaction with the network’s limited baseball coverage outside of live games .
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This development opens opportunities for other broadcasters and streaming platforms to acquire MLB rights. Apple TV+ is already expanding its presence in baseball broadcasting, with “Friday Night Baseball” returning for the 2025 season. This weekly doubleheader will be available in over 60 countries, offering enhanced production quality and no local broadcast restrictions .
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As MLB explores new partnerships, the league is reportedly in discussions with various outlets, including streaming services like Netflix and NBC, to secure future broadcasting agreements .