Major League Baseball (MLB) is ending its seven-year television contract with ESPN, effective after the 2025 season. The sides agreed to a seven-year deal in 2021 worth $550 million annually. This marks the end of over three decades of partnership that included playoff coverage and iconic broadcasts like “Sunday Night Baseball.”
ESPN cited discipline and fiscal responsibility as reasons for opting out, but acknowledged its dwindling baseball coverage played a role. Fans have long criticized ESPN’s focus on football and basketball during their respective offseasons instead of MLB.
MLB expressed dissatisfaction with the reduced rights fee, stating it was unacceptable to prioritize viewership over investment in the sport. The network confirmed interest from various media companies and streaming services seeking to obtain MLB game rights.
Source: https://www.mlive.com/sports/2025/02/mlb-leaving-espn-after-2025-season-league-cites-minimal-coverage.html