Negotiations with ESPN, which previously opted out of Sunday night games and the Home Run Derby rights, are ongoing, with discussions focusing on creative solutions to retain ESPN as a key partner.

Looking ahead to 2029, MLB expects a new rights negotiation model that will likely include more games in national packages, while local broadcasts will still need customized agreements.

In addition to national deals, MLB is close to finalizing in-market broadcast rights with teams from Arizona, Cleveland, Colorado, Minnesota, and San Diego, with agreements in principle but some issues still unresolved.

Major League Baseball is nearing broadcast agreements with four major media companies—ESPN, NBCUniversal, Netflix, and Apple TV—for the 2026-2028 seasons, signaling a significant shift in how the league will distribute its games.

Commissioner Rob Manfred emphasized that increasing national broadcast coverage is crucial for maximizing revenue, even as some teams express concerns about the exclusion of certain games from these packages.

Manfred highlighted the importance of maintaining a broadcast deal with ESPN, underscoring its previous decision to step back from certain rights, and the league's efforts to keep the partnership intact.