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MLB Faces Fierce Bidding War for Sunday Night Baseball Rights

7/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred revealed a fierce competition among NBC, Apple, and ESPN for the coveted Sunday Night Baseball rights, following ESPN's exit from its hefty $550 million contract. With a new deal expected to be short-lived, ending in 2028, MLB is on a mission to rejuvenate its viewership amidst dwindling ratings and growing demands for game reforms.

History

Historical Context

Major League Baseball's (MLB) broadcasting landscape transformed in 1990 when it signed a groundbreaking $1.1 billion deal with ESPN, following CBS's earlier $1.8 billion contract in 1988. This shift marked the rise of lucrative sports broadcasting, with ESPN generating about $550 million annually from MLB. Today, competition for broadcasting rights continues to evolve, impacting MLB's revenue strategies.

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Story summary

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred revealed a fierce competition among NBC, Apple, and ESPN for the coveted Sunday Night Baseball rights, following ESPN's exit from its hefty $550 million contract. With a new deal expected to be short-lived, ending in 2028, MLB is on a mission to rejuvenate its viewership amidst dwindling ratings and growing demands for game reforms.

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