breaking news ::The longstanding partnership between ESPN and Major League Baseball (MLB) is set to conclude after the 2025 season, marking the end of a collaboration that began in 1990…..

The longstanding partnership between ESPN and Major League Baseball (MLB) is set to conclude after the 2025 season, marking the end of a collaboration that began in 1990. This decision comes as both entities mutually agreed to opt out of the final three years of their existing contract, which was originally slated to run through 2028. The current deal, averaging $550 million annually, encompasses rights to broadcast 30 regular-season games, primarily on Sunday nights, as well as the Home Run Derby and select postseason coverage. cite turn0news18

ESPN’s choice to terminate the agreement is largely driven by a strategic shift towards fiscal responsibility and a focus on diversifying content across various platforms. The network has been reassessing the value proposition of its sports broadcasting rights, especially in comparison to emerging streaming competitors like Apple and Roku, which secure MLB rights at significantly lower costs. For instance, Apple pays approximately $85 million annually for its MLB streaming rights, a fraction of ESPN’s expenditure.  cite turn0news16

From MLB’s perspective, the league expressed disappointment over ESPN’s diminishing investment and coverage of baseball. Commissioner Rob Manfred highlighted concerns regarding the minimal exposure MLB received on ESPN, suggesting that the network’s reduced emphasis on baseball did not align with the sport’s growing popularity and viewership metrics. Notably, MLB experienced a surge in attendance in 2024, reaching its highest figures since 2017, and ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” enjoyed its most-viewed season in five years during the same period. cite turn0search5