Spring training looms as nine MLB teams, including the Miami Marlins, ditch Fanduel Sports Network amid late payments. Fans face an uncertain broadcast future.
Nine Major League Baseball teams, including the Miami Marlins, terminated their contracts with Fanduel Sports Network on Thursday, according to an Associated Press report.
A dispute, arising from late payments to these teams, leaves the Marlins and eight other teams without a home broadcast for their games.
Other MLB teams that have ended contracts with Fanduel Sports Network are the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, and Los Angeles Angels.
Main Street Sports Group, which owns all of the FSN affiliates, continues to work out a sale with DAZN, a sports streaming network. Once a deal is finalized, teams could sign broadcast contracts with Main Street.
In the meantime, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said MLB is prepared to take over broadcasting games until a solution is worked out.
"No matter what happens," he told the Associated Press on Thursday. "Whether it's Main Street, a third party, or MLB media, fans are going to have games."
The league officially ended its broadcasting partnership with ESPN after the 2025 regular season.
It also strikes a major and direct financial issue for all teams included, because TV deals account for 20 to 30 percent of the overall revenue, and all of them are considered small markets. If there's no resolution by the time the upcoming regular season begins, it could further impact their finances in terms of sponsorships and no commercials being played.
A renewed deal is possible, but unlikely, as the distribution won't be the same.
There are six organizations, such as the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Giants, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners, and Washington Nationals, that are under the league's control for broadcasting. Joining them is an alternative option for the Marlins and the other eight franchises, but the distribution of revenue still isn't as sustainable compared to when having a television partner.
“Our focus, particularly given the point in the calendar, is to maximize the revenue that’s available to the clubs, whether that’s MLB Media or third party,” Manfred added. “The clubs have control over the timing. They can make a decision to move to MLB Media because of the contractual status now. I think that what’s happening right now clubs are evaluating their alternatives. Obviously, they’ve made significant payroll commitments already and they’re evaluating the alternatives to find the best revenue source for the year and the best outlet in terms of providing quality broadcasts to their fans.”
Also, the Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire after the upcoming regular season. There's a lot of business within Major League Baseball that needs addressing, with certain deadlines in place.
The Marlins have been with the Fanduel Sports Network, which was previously known as Bally Sports/Fox Sports Florida, for decades. As spring training opens in about a month, this matter has no time to waste for a response.
Join the Community! Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news! It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!