Fri Feb 21 01:20:00 UTC 2025: ## MLB and ESPN Part Ways After 2025 Season

**NEW YORK, NY** – Major League Baseball (MLB) and ESPN have announced the end of their long-standing national television partnership, effective after the 2025 season. The decision, announced Thursday, follows a mutual agreement to opt out of their current contract, which was set to run through 2028.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred cited dissatisfaction with ESPN’s minimal coverage beyond live game broadcasts as a key factor in the decision. While ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, Wild Card playoff coverage, and other elements of the partnership will continue through 2025, the league felt the current deal, valued at an estimated $550 million annually for the remaining three years, was overpriced in the current market.

ESPN, in a statement, acknowledged the decision, citing fiscal responsibility and a need to adapt to the evolving media landscape. The network cited the lower rights fees paid by Apple and Roku for their respective MLB deals as justification for seeking a reduced payment. However, MLB argued that the ESPN inventory – including exclusive Sunday night games, the entire Wild Card round, and the Home Run Derby – was significantly more valuable than the less exclusive packages offered to Apple and Roku. Manfred highlighted increased viewership for Sunday Night Baseball and the Wild Card Series in 2024 as evidence of the product’s continued appeal.

Despite the split, both sides expressed openness to future collaborations. ESPN plans to launch a new direct-to-consumer streaming service this summer and is exploring alternative avenues for continuing its relationship with MLB. MLB, meanwhile, is already in talks with potential new broadcasting partners and expects to have at least two options to consider in the coming weeks. The league emphasized its commitment to securing a deal that maximizes the value of its broadcasting rights.

The partnership between MLB and ESPN, spanning over three decades, is coming to a close, marking a significant shift in the sports broadcasting landscape. The future of MLB’s national television rights remains to be seen, but the league is confident in its ability to secure a lucrative new deal for the 2026 season and beyond.

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