The Joe Pomp Show
Why ESPN Ended Its 35-Year Relationship with Major League Baseball
Feb 21, 2025
The talk dives into ESPN's surprising choice to cut ties with Major League Baseball three years early. The discussion reveals the reasons for the split and examines its financial ramifications. Listeners learn about MLB's need for a new broadcast partner and what the future media landscape might entail. The conversation also touches on significant local media rights deals and the evolving role of streaming in sports broadcasting. Overall, it provides insights into changes shaping the industry as we approach 2028.
10:17
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Quick takeaways
- ESPN's early exit from its 35-year MLB partnership reflects financial pressures, reducing coverage from 90 to 30 games annually.
- With ESPN gone, MLB seeks new broadcasting partners to enhance fan engagement and maximize media rights in a competing landscape.
Deep dives
End of an Era for ESPN and MLB
Major League Baseball and ESPN have officially concluded their 35-year broadcasting relationship, a move prompted by ESPN's decision to opt out of their contract three years early. This termination results in the loss of key MLB broadcasts for ESPN, which had reduced its coverage to merely 30 games per season compared to a previous 90. According to ESPN, the contract's continuation did not make financial sense as the network sought to save approximately $1.65 billion over the next three years. In contrast, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's criticism underscored the dissatisfaction with ESPN's dwindling distribution and minimal coverage, which ultimately led to this significant parting.
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