Disney-owned ESPN has confirmed it is ending its broadcasting partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB) after this season, citing a desire to lower its fees and explore new ways to serve fans beyond 2025. The network had previously paid an average of $550 million per year for the rights to broadcast “Sunday Night Baseball” and other games.
The decision comes amid reports that ESPN may also be dropping Formula One racing from its lineup after the 2025 season, following a recent three-year extension that expires at the end of next year. The sports giant had paid an estimated $90 million per year for F1 broadcasting rights but is expected to face higher costs in future negotiations due to growing popularity and viewership in the US.
ESPN cited “discipline and fiscal responsibility” as the reason for its decision, while MLB officials were reportedly unhappy with the amount of coverage baseball received on ESPN’s traditional sports talk show programming.
Source: https://www.investopedia.com/espn-mlb-mutually-agree-to-opt-out-of-broadcasting-deal-after-25-season-11683931