Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

ESPN, MLB to end broadcast deal after 2025

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Thursday, 20 February 2025 17:46

ESPN's coverage of Major League Baseball games will conclude at the end of the 2025 season, it was announced on Thursday.

There was a March 1 deadline for MLB and ESPN to opt out of the final three years of their contract. The sides agreed to a seven-year deal in 2021 that averaged $550 million per season.

"We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball and proud of how ESPN's coverage super-serves fans," the network said in a statement. "In making this decision, we applied the same discipline and fiscal responsibility that has built ESPN's industry-leading live events portfolio as we continue to grow our audience across linear, digital and social platforms.

"As we have been throughout the process, we remain open to exploring new ways to serve MLB fans across our platforms beyond 2025."

ESPN has carried MLB games since 1990 but cut back its coverage in the current contract to 30 regular-season games -- mostly on Sunday night -- and the wild-card postseason series. ESPN also had the Home Run Derby and 10 spring training games.

The previous eight-year deal, which ran from 2014 through 2021, saw ESPN broadcast up to 90 regular-season games. ESPN also stopped airing the daily "Baseball Tonight" highlights and news show in 2017.

"Unfortunately in recent years, we have seen ESPN scale back their baseball coverage and investment in a way that is not consistent with the sport's appeal or performance on their platform," MLB said in a statement. "Given that MLB provides strong viewership, valuable demographics, and the exclusive right to cover unique events like the Home Run Derby, ESPN's demand to reduce rights fees is simply unacceptable. As a result, we have mutually agreed to terminate our agreement."

MLB said in its statement that there is "significant interest from both traditional media companies and streaming services who would like to obtain rights to MLB games."

"We will be exploring those opportunities for a new agreement which would start in the 2026 season following the conclusion of ESPN's agreement at the end of this year," the league said.

ESPN is still open to pursuing a deal with a reduced rights fee after seeing deals struck with Apple and Roku. Apple pays $85 million per season for a Friday night package it has aired since 2022, while Roku's deal for Sunday afternoon games is worth $10 million per year.

MLB receives an average of $729 million from Fox and $470 million from Turner Sports per year under deals that expire after the 2028 season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read 64 times

Soccer

Miami trades forward Robert Taylor to Austin FC

Miami trades forward Robert Taylor to Austin FC

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami CF has traded forward Robert Taylor to Austin FC for $7...

Madrid face Copa crisis as Camavinga, Alaba hurt

Madrid face Copa crisis as Camavinga, Alaba hurt

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCarlo Ancelotti admitted that it will be "difficult" for David Alab...

Arteta: Arsenal 'dropped standards' against Palace

Arteta: Arsenal 'dropped standards' against Palace

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLONDON -- Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal "dropped our standards" in...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Celtics' Tatum misses first playoff game of career

Celtics' Tatum misses first playoff game of career

EmailPrintCeltics star forward Jayson Tatum missed the first playoff game of his career Wednesday ni...

Knicks' Brunson wins NBA's Clutch Player award

Knicks' Brunson wins NBA's Clutch Player award

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAfter arriving in New York three years ago, Knicks star Jalen Bruns...

Baseball

Diaz 'good' after exiting Mets' win with hip issue

Diaz 'good' after exiting Mets' win with hip issue

EmailPrintNEW YORK -- Edwin Diaz left the New York Mets' 4-3, extra-innings win over the Philadelphi...

O's Rodriguez has lat injury, weeks from throwing

O's Rodriguez has lat injury, weeks from throwing

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWASHINGTON -- Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, who...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated