MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred revealed the league is engaged in “three distinct sets of conversations” with potential media partners to address ESPN’s media rights, which expire after the 2025 season, according to SBJ’s Mike Mazzeo.
The rights, covering “Sunday Night Baseball,” the Wild Card Round, and the Home Run Derby, are being negotiated for 2026-28, with Apple TV and NBC among the potential platforms. Manfred hopes to finalize the short-term national media situation before the July 15, 2025, All-Star Game in Atlanta.
Speaking at the MLB owners’ meetings in New York on June 4, 2025, Manfred clarified that each discussion involves different content packages, not a single package pitched to multiple parties. He declined to confirm whether ESPN could re-enter the talks. Emphasizing the importance of audience reach over revenue for this interim deal, Manfred noted it serves as a “bridge” to 2028, when all MLB national media rights deals expire.
Manfred expressed regret over an opt-out clause in the ESPN deal, part of earlier compromises. “Looking back, I wish we weren’t selling just three years, so we could align our rights to ’28,” he said, acknowledging the deal’s overall value but lamenting the timing misalignment.
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