Given that the network has lowered its coverage of the sport in recent years, several sports media have noted that the separation between ESPN and MLB this week appeared inevitable.
However, since 1997, ESPN Radio has continued to play a prominent role as the only radio host of the MLB All-Star Game and the World Series. However, as part of the separation, that will stop after this season.
ESPN+ Game of the Day programming for out-of-market games would also “immediately” cease as a result of the MLB-ESPN separation, according to a report published by Sports Media Watch on Friday.
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The split, which was made public Thursday evening, was first described as a mutual opt-out of the seven-year, $550 million-per-year agreement by both parties. MLB reacted after CNN revealed that ESPN had terminated the contract first.
Amazon/Prime Video, NBC/Peacock, CBS/Paramount+, The CW, or any combination of those partners are likely to be interested in acquiring the TV portion of ESPN’s media rights deal after this season.
However, MLB is “unlikely” to combine radio and TV rights, according to Sports Media Watch. According to the publication, World Series and MLB All-Star Game coverage might go to Westwood One or SiriusXM.
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Many fans will miss the network’s radio coverage of its major events, even if the TV portion of the MLB-ESPN split is receiving the most of the focus, and with good reason.
Jon "Boog" Sciambi with the ESPN Radio call of the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the World Series.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 31, 2024#WorldSeries #MLB https://t.co/w2hIZgsNnJ
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