ESPN and MLB to 'Mutually' End Broadcast Partnership After 2025 Season

Source: Brandon Sloter / Getty

ESPN and MLB to ‘Mutually’ End Broadcast Partnership After 2025 Season

After a 35-year collaboration, ESPN and Major League Baseball (MLB) have mutually decided to end their broadcast partnership following the 2025 season.

The long-standing relationship, which began in 1990, has been a staple of MLB’s national broadcasts, featuring highly anticipated events like Sunday Night Baseball, the Home Run Derby, and wild-card playoff games.

The decision stems from negotiations that revealed growing differences between the two sides. ESPN, citing a shifting media landscape, sought to lower its rights fees from the estimated $550 million annual payment agreed upon in their 2021 contract.

MLB balked at this proposal, pointing to strong ratings for marquee events and the unique value of their programming on ESPN.

Commissioner Rob Manfred also expressed disappointment with what he called “minimal coverage” of MLB on ESPN’s platforms outside of live games in recent years.

This move signals broader changes for MLB as it navigates a turbulent media landscape.

With regional sports networks facing challenges like bankruptcy and declining revenues, MLB plans to explore new opportunities for broadcasting its games.

The league has shown interest in partnerships with both traditional media outlets and emerging streaming platforms, such as Apple and Roku, which have already secured smaller MLB game packages.

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Despite the split, both MLB and ESPN have left the door open for future collaborations.

ESPN emphasized in a statement that it remains open to serving MLB fans across its platforms and hinted at potential new strategies for coverage.

The separation also coincides with ESPN’s effort to expand its digital presence, including an upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming product.

While MLB faces the uncertain prospect of finding broadcasters willing to match ESPN’s financial investment, the league’s continued partnerships with Fox and Turner offer lucrative stability.

Meanwhile, fans can look forward to an evolving media ecosystem that promises to reshape how America’s pastime is consumed.

For the 2025 season, MLB on ESPN will operate as usual, but the end of this partnership marks a significant shift in how baseball aligns itself within today’s rapidly evolving sports broadcasting landscape.

Where the league lands next could define the future of national baseball coverage for years to come.

ESPN and MLB to ‘Mutually’ End Broadcast Partnership After 2025 Season  was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc