MLB's Broadcast Model Gets a Forced Overhaul

The financial collapse of regional sports network operator Main Street Sports Group has forced Major League Baseball to take direct control of local broadcasts for nearly half its teams. The fallout prompted nine clubs to tear up their contracts.

• An offer they couldn't refuse: Seven of those nine teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals, have now joined MLB's in-house media arm, doubling its portfolio to 14 clubs. In response, the league announced it will offer direct-to-consumer streaming subscriptions for these teams, pricing the season package at around $100.

• Trading certainty for risk: The new model swaps guaranteed annual rights fees for a riskier revenue-sharing plan. For the teams, this means a short-term financial hit—a move that will reportedly cost the St. Louis Cardinals around $20 million.

• The 2028 endgame: For MLB, the crisis accelerates its long-term strategy. Commissioner Rob Manfred sees the consolidation as a direct path toward a national streaming package by 2028 that would finally eliminate local blackouts for fans.

The RSN collapse, while painful for some teams now, gives MLB the leverage it needs to remake its media future on its own terms. But not every team is joining the league's plan, as the Angels and Braves are reportedly exploring starting their own TV networks. In a parallel move, MLB is also expanding its distribution by partnering with major digital players, making its out-of-market MLB.TV service available on ESPN's platforms.