ESPN, MLB Near Framework for Exclusive Out-of-Market In-Market Rights

Major League Baseball and ESPN are nearing a framework agreement that would give ESPN exclusive rights to sell all out-of-market regular-season games digitally and in-market rights for five teams over the next three seasons, beginning with the 2026 season. The arrangement would also move Sunday Night Baseball to a different night during the week, while ESPN would continue to broadcast a substantial portion of regular-season games. The deal is not yet signed, and a final agreement could take several weeks to finalize, with public announcement possible in September. The expected price is described as substantial, reflecting a broader push by ESPN into direct-to-consumer streaming and broader distribution of MLB assets.

Under the framework, ESPN would obtain in-market rights for five MLB clubs currently under league control in different regions: the Cleveland Guardians, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Colorado Rockies. Fans in those markets would likely access their local games through ESPN’s platform, potentially requiring a direct ESPN subscription in addition to any team-specific access fee. The plan would also integrate MLB.TV into ESPN’s...