Regardless of what ultimately happens with Main Street Sports Group, the embattled operator of the FanDuel Sports Network, there definitely will be no more baseball on the regional sports networks.
Nearly a month after initially severing ties with Main Street Sports, nine MLB clubs previously aligned with the company have fully moved on in preparation for the 2026 season, set to start in late March. The company’s attempt to retain at least some of the teams with revised contract offers proved unsuccessful, as it has struggled to show solid, long-term financial backing.
Five of nine MLB clubs previously aligned with Main Street Sports—the Brewers, Cardinals, Marlins, Reds, and Royals—said Monday in separate announcements they are joining the in-house MLB Media program in which the league handles game production and distribution.
Another three—the Angels, Rays, and Tigers—are assessing their options and could do the same, according to industry sources, perhaps within a matter of days.
A ninth team, Atlanta, is expected to form its own local media network, similar to what the Rangers have done.
The latest developments from these MLB clubs are arriving as Main Street Sports could dissolve soon, as it faces a growing financial crisis that has included many missed rights payments to teams.
“FanDuel Sports Network is continuing to broadcast NBA and NHL games, and we appreciate the leagues’ engagement in ongoing discussions on our go-forward plans,” the company said in a statement. “We appreciate the relationships we have had with our MLB partners and fans over many years, and we wish them the best.”
The company, previously Diamond Sports Group, emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection 13 months ago. It has not seen its business health improve materially since then, however, as regional sports broadcasting remains particularly challenged in an era of accelerating cord-cutting.
With the separation from baseball complete, Main Street Sports is left with rights to thirteen NBA teams and seven in the NHL.
In-House Powerhouse
With the dramatic—though expected—influx of the additional teams to MLB Media, the effort that began in emergency fashion in early 2023 with the Padres will now involve as much as half of the league for the 2026 season. Before this latest influx related to Main Street Sports, the Nationals were the seventh team to join the program.
Within this structure, game distribution involves a mix of linear and streaming elements, and revenue varies based on carriage deals that could be struck.
It’s also a further flexing of league production capabilities, in which it aids in game efforts for rights holders such as Apple and Netflix.
Earlier this month, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred reiterated his confidence in those abilities, as well as the fact that games will remain available to fans despite the issues surrounding Main Street Sports.
“Our focus, particularly given the point in the calendar, is to maximize the revenue that’s available to the clubs, whether that’s MLB Media or a third party,” Manfred said last month in response to a Front Office Sports question.
Braves Country
The Braves’ decision, though not finalized, will look to lean in to what is one of the league’s most expansive and passionate fan bases. The club was also one of the most successful entities for Main Street Sports.
“[We] are well on our way towards launching a new era in Braves broadcasting. … We are excited about bringing Braves baseball to our fans in new ways,” the team said Monday. “To our fans, we want to assure you that we will be ready for the 2026 season, and all Atlanta Braves games will be broadcast across the entirety of Braves Country. We look forward to sharing our path forward in the coming weeks.”
The publicly traded team is due to report its next set of quarterly earnings on Feb. 25.
