ESPN, MLB Strike Urgent New $800M Media Rights Agreement

BREAKING: ESPN and Major League Baseball have just announced a groundbreaking new $800 million media rights deal that will reshape how fans access baseball content over the next three years. This urgent agreement, unveiled today, introduces out-of-market streaming rights and includes NBC and Netflix as key players in broadcasting games.

Under this deal, NBC will become the new home for “Sunday Night Baseball” and the Wild Card Series, while Netflix secures the Home Run Derby and two additional games. This strategic move marks a significant shift in MLB’s media landscape as it adapts to modern viewing habits.

Rob Manfred, Commissioner of MLB, emphasized the importance of this agreement, stating,

“This new agreement with ESPN marks a significant evolution in our more than 30-year relationship. Bringing MLB.TV to ESPN’s new app while maintaining a presence on linear television reflects a balanced approach to the shifts taking place in the way that fans watch baseball.”

As part of the new structure, ESPN will pay approximately $550 million annually, while NBC’s deal is valued at $200 million and Netflix at $50 million. Although ESPN will no longer air postseason games or the Home Run Derby, it will become the rights holder for MLB.TV, accessible through the ESPN app.

The deal also secures in-market streaming rights for six teams: the San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, and Seattle Mariners. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro remarked that this “fan-friendly agreement” will showcase baseball at both local and national levels.

In a twist, while ESPN loses “Sunday Night Baseball,” it will still broadcast 30 games throughout the season, primarily during weeknights and summer months. This makes MLB the second league with its out-of-market digital package available on ESPN’s platform, following the NHL’s move in 2021.

NBC is set to kick off its baseball coverage on March 26, 2024, when the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks. The network, celebrating its 100th anniversary next year, has a storied history with baseball, having aired games from 1939 to 1989.

Starting on April 12, 2024, NBC will air its first “Sunday Night Baseball” game, with a schedule that allows for a robust sports lineup on Sunday nights. This adds to NBC’s existing NFL coverage, which has been a staple since 2006.

Meanwhile, Netflix will broadcast the first game of the season on March 25, 2024, featuring Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees against the San Francisco Giants. Netflix will also stream the Home Run Derby and an MLB special event game each year, aligning with its strategy to secure major sporting events.

This complex negotiation was crucial as MLB aimed to balance its partnerships with existing rights holders. Currently, MLB earns an average of $729 million from Fox and $470 million from Turner Sports, with those deals running until 2028.

As the landscape of sports broadcasting continues to evolve, this new agreement positions MLB for future negotiations, potentially shifting more games to national platforms rather than regional sports networks.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and the impact of these changes becomes clear for baseball fans across the globe.