ESPN has announced it will stop covering Major League Baseball games at the end of the 2025 season, ending a 35-year partnership. The decision comes after the network scaled back its coverage in recent years, including cutting from up to 90 regular-season games to just 30.
The seven-year contract between ESPN and MLB began in 2021 and averaged $550 million per year. However, MLB claims that ESPN’s reduced investment in baseball coverage is not consistent with the sport’s appeal on their platform.
MLB expressed disappointment with ESPN’s demand for a reduced rights fee, stating it is “unacceptable.” The league says there is significant interest from other media companies and streaming services looking to obtain MLB game rights. As a result, MLB will begin exploring new opportunities for a 2026 season agreement.
During its coverage, ESPN had the exclusive right to broadcast unique events like the Home Run Derby. The network has seen success with deals struck by Apple and Roku, which pay $85 million and $10 million per year, respectively. This development could pave the way for MLB to find new partners for its game rights.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43943678/espn-mlb-end-broadcast-partnership-2025-season