MLB and ESPN Walk Away from TV Deal for 2026-28 Season: What ‘Minimal Coverage’ Means for Fans

Major League Baseball (MLB) and ESPN have decided to end their national television deal after the 2025 season. This news comes from a memo by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, which was shared with team owners. Manfred noted that MLB has been unhappy with the low coverage on ESPN’s platforms, especially outside of live game broadcasts.

While this partnership will officially conclude at the end of the 2025 season, ESPN will still carry key broadcasts, such as Sunday Night Baseball and wild-card playoff games, during this time. The decision to part ways was made before a March 1 deadline where both parties could have remained together for three more years.

ESPN was scheduled to pay about $550 million annually over the next three years, but they felt this amount was too high given the current market. In response, Manfred explained that accepting a reduced deal on a shrinking platform isn’t beneficial for MLB. He emphasized the importance of maximizing their broadcasting opportunities and mentioned ongoing discussions with other interested parties for future rights.

Interestingly, despite the split, there’s still potential for a new partnership. ESPN expressed gratitude for the long history with MLB and indicated they’re open to new ways of collaboration in the future.

ESPN and MLB have worked together since 1990, and both sides see the value in each other. ESPN has plans to launch a direct-to-consumer product this summer, which could open up new opportunities for delivering baseball content.

As the market for sports broadcasting changes, MLB faces challenges in securing similar revenue from new partners. ESPN pointed out that other companies, like Apple and Roku, have struck deals worth significantly less. Manfred countered that the exclusive nature of ESPN’s broadcasts, including prime-time slots and major playoff events, sets their value apart from those lower deals.

Meanwhile, MLB’s viewership was reportedly up, with a 6% increase for Sunday Night Baseball in 2024 and record-breaking numbers for the Wild Card Series. This suggests that despite some challenges, interest in the sport remains strong.

The end of this partnership marks a significant shift in how fans might experience MLB games in the future, with new deals set to emerge starting in 2026.

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MLB, Sports Business