UPDATE: Major League Baseball (MLB) is on the brink of securing significant broadcast agreements with four major media companies for the upcoming 2026 to 2028 seasons. Commissioner Rob Manfred revealed this exciting news during a Q&A session at Front Office Sports’ “Tuned In” event.
JUST ANNOUNCED: MLB is finalizing deals with ESPN for a regular-season package, NBCUniversal for the wild card series and Sunday night games, Netflix for the All-Star Home Run Derby, and Apple TV for additional regular-season broadcasts. Manfred emphasized that negotiations for in-market rights in Arizona, Cleveland, Colorado, Minnesota, and San Diego are also nearing completion.
“We have agreements in principle,” Manfred stated. “There are still issues to resolve, but we hope to push them across the finish line.” He noted that ESPN had opted out of its previous Sunday night games and Home Run Derby rights, underscoring the importance of maintaining that partnership.
Manfred’s discussions with ESPN president James Pitaro resumed at the Allen & Co. Sun Valley Conference in July, reflecting a mutual interest in collaboration. “It took a little while to think creatively about how we could meet our goals,” he explained.
This potential partnership marks a pivotal moment for MLB, as it seeks to enhance its national presence and engage more fans. Manfred stated, “Getting more national and getting more games out there on a national basis has to be your No. 1 priority.”
Looking ahead, Manfred anticipates a shift in the negotiation model for rights packages starting in 2029. “There will be more games available in national packages, but local solutions will still be vital,” he added.
This developing story highlights MLB’s efforts to modernize its broadcasting strategy in a rapidly changing media landscape, aiming to provide fans with more accessible viewing options. As negotiations progress, expect further updates on these critical deals that could reshape how baseball reaches its audience.
Stay tuned for the latest developments as MLB continues to finalize these broadcast agreements, potentially transforming the viewing experience for millions of fans around the world.
