• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

Diamondbacks Heading Into Another Season With MLB in Charge of Media Rights

  • The league has controlled the D-Backs’ media rights since July.
  • It’s the second season of disarray after the downfall of Bally Sports Arizona.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Syndication: Arizona Republic

The Diamondbacks are entering a second season with their media rights under the MLB umbrella, with no RSN or local TV deal in sight.

The league stepped in back in July when Bally Sports Arizona and bankrupt parent Diamond Sports Group rejected the Diamondbacks’ deal. Other Phoenix teams—the Sun, Mercury, and Coyotes—have over-the-air deals and their direct-to-consumer partnerships with Kiswe.

But the Diamondbacks elected to stick with MLB for a second year. The yearly streaming deal costs $99.99 for D-Backs.TV, or $199.99 to bundle with MLB.TV. Club president and CEO Derrick Hall told Sports Business Journal on Thursday that the league is negotiating with distributors, including DirecTV and Cox, which aired games last season.

The team spoke with the Suns and their broadcaster, Gray Television, and a partnership could be in the cards after this year, Hall said to SBJ.

Last season, the MLB guaranteed clubs it would make up at least 80% of contracted rights fees, but the league has yet to commit to the three teams (also Padres and Rockies) it will handle this season. Commissioner Rob Manfred has said before that, in general, any teams brought under the league umbrella might see a dip at first, but MLB believes it can create similar revenue to what teams have received in the past.

Media rights aren’t the only fraught topic in the organization: The Diamondbacks are also pushing for renovations of Chase Field but are having trouble securing taxpayer funding. “We may run out of time in Phoenix,” owner Ken Kendrick said earlier this week. While Kendrick said he hopes that doesn’t happen, he mentioned the number of markets wanting an MLB team, especially one that’s already successful.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Florida State Seminoles hosted the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

Athletic Departments Express Renewed Interest in PE in Wake of House Settlement

Schools now have more expenses—and are looking for creative solutions.
Caster Semenya

Caster Semenya’s Legal Win Could Reopen Fight Against Testosterone Limits

The Olympian champion’s appeal against gender eligibility rules continues.
Gareth Bale
exclusive

Gareth Bale Group Makes New Offer for Cardiff City 

Bale tells Front Office Sports his group has made another bid.
Bruce Meyer and Tony Clark of the MLBPA

MLB, Players’ Union Spar Over Salary Cap As Labor Fight Looms

The MLB Players Association’s No. 2 executive outlines what he sees owners doing.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.