Major League Baseball and ESPN have resumed talks about a new rights deal after more than four months of silence. The discussions mark a significant turn following their high-profile divorce announcement in February, when both parties agreed to end their existing agreement after the 2025 season.
The Athletic first reported the revived negotiations between the two entities. ESPN and MLB originally planned to terminate their current deal three years before its scheduled expiration, but a new agreement could extend their relationship that began in 1990.
Potential Deal Structure Changes
The early-stage discussions involve potential inclusion of local rights as MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred works to rework baseball\'s media landscape. ESPN currently pays MLB $550 million annually for broadcast rights but had sought to reduce that fee.
The league previously called ESPN\'s demands \"unacceptable,\" citing concerns about minimal coverage MLB receives on ESPN outside of live games. These objections contributed to the February split announcement.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro has remained steadfast in his desire to retain baseball rights in a reworked deal. He recently reiterated this position as Disney prepares to launch ESPN\'s direct-to-consumer service.
MLB has been negotiating with NBCUniversal, Fox, and Apple about the rights ESPN would forfeit. However, none of these networks have ESPN\'s established relationship with MLB or constant sports programming presence.
Timeline and Industry Pressure
MLB intends to resolve the rights issue before the July 15 All-Star Game in Atlanta. The league seeks to align all its media rights for a 2028 expiration date.
\"We liked the deal we had,\" Manfred said earlier this month about ESPN. \"Looking backwards, do I wish I wasn\'t in a position to sell three years so we can line our rights up in 2028? The answer to that is yes.\"
Former MLB executive Jonathan Mariner addressed the historically complex relationship between the organizations.
\"There was always this tension between ESPN and MLB in the sense that they needed each other, but—and this is just my view—ESPN, we were second fiddle to the NFL,\" Mariner told Front Office Sports. \"And I think the other sports leagues may feel the same way. ESPN loves the NFL. And I think that was always a factor. … I\'d like to see them get back together. ESPN has been a great partner for a long time and who knows?\"