ESPN and MLB mutually agree to end the TV deal after the '25 Season

45-70Ag

Joined: Dec 12, 2011

Posts: 34,781

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

6:38p, 2/20/25

AG

MLB and ESPN have "mutually agreed" to end their TV deal following the upcoming 2025 season, per @TheAthletic.

Commissioner Rob Manfred noted that he has “not been pleased with the minimal coverage that MLB has received on ESPN’s platforms." pic.twitter.com/1Xrbr9s8AJ
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 20, 2025

I really wish mlb would go back on nbc. Whoever picks up the slack can't be worse than espn was.

4

1

Joined: Oct 22, 2000

Posts: 7,195

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

9:42a, 2/21/25

This is to be celebrated

AgRyan04

Joined: Apr 9, 2002

Posts: 19,374

User Profile

Private Message

Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

10:08a, 2/21/25

Maybe ESPN didn't prioritize baseball because viewership is bad because no one can watch any games on ESPN for regional teams.

I'd just like to live in Austin and not be blacked out to watch any team within a 10 hour drive, so whatever gets us any steps closer to fixing that I'm for.

Im not watching a lot of Mets vs Rays type match ups

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

AustinAg2K

Joined: Aug 13, 2002

Posts: 7,913

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

10:54a, 2/21/25

ESPN may not have been helping, but the MLB blackout rules are the main reason viewership struggles. You essentially can't watch your local team, which what most people want to watch. Forty years ago, it wasn't a big deal because road games were usually broadcast over the air. People could usually see half the games. Now, tough, when everything is on the team's network, which is probably only carried by one provider, it makes it really difficult.

6

AgRyan04

Joined: Apr 9, 2002

Posts: 19,374

User Profile

Private Message

Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

3:21p, 2/21/25

on a related note, I downloaded the app that the Cubs radio streams from to listen to their spring training game this afternoon.....and I'm blacked out there.

It shouldn't be so hard to consume their product!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1

Farmer1906

Joined: Nov 2, 2006

Posts: 61,369

User Profile

Private Message

Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

3:42p, 2/21/25

AG

MLB's problem is fans are extremely regional.

The average Rockets, Mavs, Spurs fan will turn into Boston vs Miami postseason series. The average Texans & Cowgirls fan will tune in MNF regardless of the matchup. Most Astros and Rangers fans completely check out of Sunday Night Baseball Cubs v Mets.

1