ESPN’s ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ Innings to End in 2025
ESPN and MLB Mutually Terminate TV Deal
After a 34-year partnership, ESPN and Major League Baseball (MLB) have mutually agreed to end their national television deal after the 2025 season. The announcement came in a memo from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, obtained by The Athletic.
A Long-Standing History
The MLB and ESPN have a long-established relationship, dating back to their initial rights agreement in 1989. In 2021, the two parties extended their deal for seven years, ensuring baseball’s presence on ESPN through 2028.
Under the terms of the agreement, ESPN held the exclusive rights to broadcast 30 regular-season games, the entire MLB Wild Card Series, the Home Run Derby, and the Opening Night telecast. However, both ESPN and MLB had the option to terminate the final three years of the deal before March 1, 2025.
Reasons for the Split
According to Manfred, the league ultimately decided to opt out of the TV deal due to ESPN’s aggressive efforts to reduce rights fees. In a memo to team owners, Manfred stated that ESPN had expressed a desire to lower the amount paid for MLB content, citing lower fees paid by Apple and Roku in their deals with MLB.
Manfred maintained that the league did not believe such a reduction in fees was warranted, given the strength of baseball as a product.
ESPN’s Concerns
Beyond the issue of rights fees, Manfred also expressed dissatisfaction with the limited coverage MLB received on ESPN’s platforms outside of live game broadcasts. He stated that the league was disappointed with the lack of meaningful promotion and highlights beyond game day.
ESPN’s Response
In a statement released on social media, ESPN confirmed their decision to opt-out of the deal, citing financial responsibility. The statement emphasized ESPN’s commitment to serving MLB fans but acknowledged the need for fiscal discipline in managing its portfolio of live events.
Interest in a Potential Reunion
Despite the termination of the current deal, ESPN expressed interest in potentially re-entering negotiations beyond 2025. The statement stated that ESPN remained open to exploring new ways to serve MLB fans across its platforms.
MLB’s Next Move
Manfred indicated that the league is actively engaged in discussions with several interested parties regarding the MLB rights that will become available after 2025. He did not provide details on the potential suitors but stated that the MLB is confident in the value and popularity of its product.
Conclusion
The end of ESPN’s ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ marks a significant shift in the landscape of MLB broadcasting. The league is now tasked with finding a new television partner while balancing financial considerations with the need for meaningful coverage and promotion of the sport. ESPN, meanwhile, will continue to evaluate its live event portfolio and seek new opportunities to engage MLB fans in the future.
