Over the past couple of years, the landscape of Major League Baseball’s local television broadcasts has undergone a seismic shift - and the 2026 season is shaping up to be the most transformative yet.
A growing number of teams have seen their regional sports network (RSN) deals either expire or fall apart entirely, resulting in their local TV rights reverting to Major League Baseball itself. That list already included the Padres, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Guardians, Twins, and Mariners heading into this season. The Mariners, for instance, stuck with ROOT Sports Northwest through 2025, but when that RSN shut down late in the year, the team pivoted and launched its own direct-to-consumer platform, “Mariners.TV,” for 2026.
Now, they’re not alone. The Nationals joined that MLB-operated group earlier this offseason, and as of this week, six more clubs have followed suit.
On Monday, the Brewers, Cardinals, Marlins, Rays, Reds, and Royals officially parted ways with Main Street Sports Group - the operator behind the FanDuel Sports Network RSNs - and handed their local broadcast rights over to MLB’s in-house production arm, MLB Local Media. That’s a major development, and it means that nearly half the league will now have their local games produced and distributed by the league itself.
Three of those six teams - the Cardinals, Brewers, and Royals - made formal announcements on Monday. The others are expected to follow shortly, but the writing is on the wall: the RSN model, at least in its current form, is crumbling.
As for the remaining three teams that were under contract with Main Street - the Angels, Braves, and Tigers - their next moves are still taking shape. Reports indicate that the Tigers are likely to shift their broadcasts under MLB’s umbrella, which would align with their ownership group’s broader media strategy. They also own the NHL’s Red Wings, and MLB already handles production for the NHL Network, so that move would make logistical sense.
The Braves, on the other hand, are reportedly exploring a different route - potentially creating their own RSN, much like the Rangers did. That could give Atlanta more control over its broadcast product, but it also comes with a hefty price tag and a fair amount of risk in an already volatile media environment.
Meanwhile, some teams may explore alternative platforms outside of MLB’s direct control. Names like Victory+ and Kiswe have surfaced as potential players in this evolving media landscape, but for now, MLB’s in-house production team is the primary landing spot for teams left without RSN homes.
This shift has major financial implications. According to reporting from MLB.com, the new deals replacing the RSNs are paying out, on average, about 50% of what teams were receiving under their previous cable agreements.
That’s a significant revenue drop - and in a sport where local TV money is a cornerstone of team finances, it’s not just a budget line item. It’s a potential game-changer.
Fewer TV dollars means less money available for payroll, and that could have ripple effects throughout the league. It's no surprise, then, that some owners have begun floating the idea of a salary cap - a topic that’s always been contentious in MLB circles.
Looking ahead, this could become a key issue in the next round of collective bargaining agreement negotiations. The current CBA expires on December 1, and while no one wants to see a repeat of the 2022 lockout, the financial pressures created by the RSN collapse could complicate talks.
The league has been riding a wave of momentum lately, with improved attendance and TV ratings - thanks in part to the pitch clock and a faster-paced game. A labor stoppage in 2027 would threaten to derail that progress.
Commissioner Rob Manfred has long pushed for MLB to control all local rights, with the idea that bundling local and national TV deals could ultimately drive up total media revenue. Whether that bet pays off remains to be seen. But as of now, the league has taken a major step toward centralizing its media operations - and the ripple effects are just beginning.