Major League Baseball (MLB) announced on Thursday that it will end its decades-long partnership with ESPN after the 2025 season, citing a demand from ESPN for reduced rights fees as the reason for their mutual decision. The deal, which first began in 1990, was valued at $550 million per season and included airing 30 games nationally.
The league expressed dismay at ESPN’s request to reduce fees, stating that it provides strong viewership, valuable demographics, and exclusive coverage of unique events like the Home Run Derby. ESPN defended its coverage, saying it is grateful for the partnership and proud of its coverage, but will continue to explore new ways to serve MLB fans.
However, a source disputes this claim, stating that ESPN opted out of the contract due to the high costs. The league plans to explore new rights deals starting in 2026, citing growing interest from both traditional media companies and streaming services for MLB games.
MLB saw significant growth last season, with attendance figures reaching 71.3 million fans and viewership increases on its flagship “Sunday Night Baseball” program. The league believes it is riding a wave of momentum, with generational talent and rule changes improving the pace of play, which has led to increased interest from potential new partners.
While ESPN wants to continue partnering with MLB, the source notes that there are other summer sports programming options, such as the NHL Playoffs and WNBA, that are drawing fans’ attention. The cost of the deal and games received no longer justify the investment for ESPN.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/20/sport/espn-mlb-end-relationship-spt/index.html