The Powers That Be: Daily Media Monday: Manfred’s MLB Fantasies & Biden ‘Original Sin’ Fallout
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May 26, 2025 Jon Kelly, an expert journalist at Puck, joins Dylan Byers to dissect MLB commissioner Rob Manfred's tricky media rights negotiations with NBC and Apple. They explore the shifting landscape of sports broadcasting and the challenges of maintaining MLB's popularity. The conversation also dives deep into the backlash from Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's book 'Original Sin', revealing rifts within the Democratic Party and the implications for Biden's administration. It's a thrilling merge of sports and politics!
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MLB Media Negotiation Realities
- MLB's media rights struggle is driven by business model shifts, not just negotiation issues.
- The league faces challenges due to fragmented ownership and the collapse of regional sports networks.
MLB Media Partners' Value Calculations
- NBC offers MLB broader reach than Apple but remains cautious due to existing NFL and NBA commitments.
- ESPN and other partners are becoming more disciplined about the value proposition of sports rights.
Inside Biden's Media Turmoil
- Alex Thompson uncovered deep tensions and missteps in Biden's inner circle regarding media management.
- The book Original Sin challenges popular narratives about Biden and exposes longstanding cover-ups.
