The Detroit Tigers and Red Wings are making a major move off the ice and diamond - and it’s all about how fans will watch their teams going forward.
Both franchises, owned by Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, are officially parting ways with FanDuel Sports Network and its parent company, Main Street Sports Group. In their place, a new partnership has been struck with Major League Baseball, marking a first-of-its-kind collaboration that’s poised to reshape how games are broadcast across Michigan.
Starting with the 2026 MLB season for the Tigers and the 2026-27 NHL season for the Red Wings, fans throughout the teams’ home television territories - including all of Michigan - will be able to tune in through a new platform that includes both traditional cable/satellite options and direct-to-consumer streaming. Specifics on pricing and availability are still to come, but the message is clear: accessibility is the priority.
Ryan Gustafson, President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, summed it up in a statement that speaks directly to the heart of the fan experience: “We recognize the importance of providing fans with a consistent, year-round outlet to watch Tigers baseball and Red Wings hockey.” And he’s not wrong - with the regional sports broadcasting landscape in flux, teams and leagues are being forced to rethink how they reach their audiences.
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment is leaning into that challenge. The new setup aims to give fans a more reliable, flexible, and engaging way to follow their teams - whether that’s on cable, satellite, or a streaming app on the go. It’s a move that reflects what fans have been asking for: more availability, better streaming options, and broadcasts that blend insight with entertainment.
Under the agreement, MLB will take the reins on producing and distributing Tigers games. That includes everything from negotiating distribution deals to running a direct-to-consumer streaming service. The Tigers’ broadcast team will remain intact, with Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson continuing in their play-by-play roles, and analysts Andy Dirks and Dan Petry staying on board.
For the Red Wings, the transition will take place after the 2025-26 NHL season. Ilitch Sports + Entertainment will take over broadcast production, with MLB lending support on the technical side.
Until then, Red Wings games will continue airing on FanDuel Sports Network through the end of this season. Longtime voices Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond are expected to remain in their roles, with future broadcast plans to be finalized after the season wraps.
This shift is part of a broader trend. The Tigers are one of nine MLB teams that have exited their deals with Main Street Sports Group, formerly known as Diamond Sports Group.
After emerging from bankruptcy in 2025, the company rebranded and brought FanDuel on for naming rights. But the shakeup in regional sports networks has left many teams - and fans - in limbo.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the uncertainty last month, saying, “No matter what happens, whether it’s Main Street, a third party or MLB media, fans are going to have the games.” That’s the bottom line here: the games will still be on, and the league is stepping in to ensure that happens.
There’s also a chance MLB Media could eventually produce Red Wings games as well, given the shared ownership with the Tigers. While nothing is confirmed yet, it’s a logical extension of the current partnership.
To get a sense of what this could look like, consider the St. Louis Cardinals, who just joined MLB Media.
Their fans now have access to a team-specific streaming service, Cardinals.TV, with a season package priced at $99.99 or $19.99 per month. Similar offerings could be on the horizon for Tigers fans.
Other MLB teams already under the MLB Media umbrella include the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners, and Washington Nationals. It’s a growing list, and Detroit is the latest to join the movement.
As for the Pistons, who also air on FanDuel Sports Network, the NBA appears to be taking a wait-and-see approach. According to reports, teams are in a “business-as-usual holding pattern,” and there’s been no official word on any changes.
Main Street Sports Group, for its part, acknowledged the changing landscape in a statement, thanking its MLB partners and fans while continuing to work with the NBA and NHL on future plans.
For Tigers and Red Wings fans, though, the takeaway is simple: change is coming, but it’s designed with them in mind. The goal is to make games easier to find, easier to watch, and more enjoyable - whether you're tuning in from your living room or streaming on your phone from the bleachers at Comerica Park.