MLB Takes Over Local Broadcasts for Three Teams
Background
Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced that it will produce and distribute local broadcasts for the Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, and Minnesota Twins in 2025. This move comes after the expiration of their contracts with Diamond Sports Group, the nation’s largest owner of regional sports networks.
Expansion of MLB’s Broadcast Reach
The addition of these three teams means that MLB will be handling the production and distribution of at least six teams going into 2025. The league has already taken over broadcasts of the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks during the 2023 season and the Colorado Rockies this year.
Benefits of MLB’s Broadcast Takeover
By taking over the broadcasts, MLB expects to increase the market reach of its teams. For example, Cleveland games were available on approximately 1.45 million households on its regional sports network. That reach is expected to increase 235% to 4.86 million households. Minnesota’s reach is also expected to increase by 307% from 1.08 million homes to 4.4 million.
Diamond Sports Group’s Financial Struggles
Diamond Sports Group is currently going through bankruptcy proceedings and may be down to doing only Atlanta Braves games in 2025. The operator of the Bally Sports regional networks presented its reorganization plan in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston last week. As part of the reorganization, Diamond plans to void the contracts of the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays and to attempt to rework the deals of the five franchises that are partial owners of their regional sports networks.
Conclusion
MLB’s takeover of local broadcasts for the Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, and Minnesota Twins is a significant move that is expected to increase the market reach of these teams. The league’s commitment to serving its fans by ensuring they can see their favorite teams, removing blackouts where possible, and ultimately growing the reach of its games is evident in this decision.
FAQs
Q: Why is MLB taking over local broadcasts for these teams?
A: MLB is taking over local broadcasts to increase the market reach of its teams and to ensure that fans can see their favorite teams without blackouts.
Q: What is the current status of Diamond Sports Group?
A: Diamond Sports Group is currently going through bankruptcy proceedings and may be down to doing only Atlanta Braves games in 2025.
Q: What is the expected impact of MLB’s takeover on the market reach of the teams?
A: The takeover is expected to increase the market reach of the teams, with Cleveland games available on approximately 4.86 million households and Minnesota games available on approximately 4.4 million households.
Q: Will MLB take over more teams in the future?
A: It is possible that MLB may take over more teams in the future as Diamond Sports Group continues to go through bankruptcy proceedings.
