• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 15, 2025

MLB Weighs Media Overhaul As Manfred Deals With DSG Turmoil

  • MLB commissioner Rob Manfred criticizes all the key facets of DSG’s bankruptcy reorganization.
  • Nike takes responsibility at a league owners meeting for its much-maligned MLB uniforms.
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Make no mistake: MLB commissioner Rob Manfred (above) is certainly no fan of Diamond Sports Group, the bankrupt parent of Bally Sports. But Manfred and the league are still keeping their powder dry on taking formal action against the regional sports network operator.

Speaking Thursday at the conclusion of owners meetings held this week in New York, Manfred said there has been no decision made yet about whether there will be a formal objection from MLB to DSG’s already-troubled reorganization plan. But to the commissioner, that indecision stems from an uncertainty about what the league would actually be objecting to, particularly in light of DSG’s current carriage standoff with Comcast, the country’s second-largest cable distributor. 

“It’s hard to comment on whether we’re going to object or not, because there is no [reorganization] plan at this point, if you think about it,” Manfred said. “Their whole plan is ‘we’re going to get deals with distributors.’ We know they don’t have one [major provider]. And it’s ‘we’re going to continue with the leagues.’ They don’t have a deal with the NBA. They don’t have a deal with the NHL. And they don’t have a deal with us.”

Manfred said he still anticipates DSG will pay out the rest of its outstanding rights payment obligations to MLB clubs this year. Still, he added, “There’s not much good about Diamond, actually, right now. They remain bankrupt, in case any of you have missed that.”

While DSG is still bankrupt, a new set of crucial dates in the case hit the court docket on Thursday. A prior June 5 deadline to object to the organization plan is now set for July 18. And a confirmation hearing on the plan previously set for June 18 has been shifted to a start of July 29.

“We have determined to move the hearing a few extra weeks to focus on reaching rights agreements on mutually beneficial terms with our league and team partners and to finalize an updated business plan well in advance of the upcoming NBA and NHL seasons,” DSG said.

As that situation continues to unfold, MLB is also actively considering a dramatic, long-term reorganization of its media rights to a nationally focused structure, similar to what the NFL has used for decades. Such a move would avoid thorny entanglements like the one with DSG, but it’s also fraught with complications, both internally and externally from a labor perspective with the MLB Players Association.

“There is a continuing conversation about a national media strategy, a national control of rights,” Manfred said. “That’s obviously a complicated topic,” citing separate but interrelated issues surrounding the assembling of rights and how revenue flows among the teams.

“Right now, we’re really focused on the strategic part, how we respond to the changes in the local media environment in a way that increases our reach and fan access to games. We’d like to get into a model … where there is a frictionless opportunity to watch the game you want to watch,” he said. 

The Swoosh Falls on Its Sword

Representatives from Nike, meanwhile, briefed the assembled MLB team owners about their remediation plans for the much-maligned uniforms from the sports apparel and footwear giant. Those previously announced repairs, many of which are set to take effect next season, include better color matching of road gray uniforms, improved sweat wicking, larger letters on the backs of jerseys, and more customization of players’ uniform pants.

“Let me say it this way: I think they appropriately took responsibility for the issues with respect to the new uniforms and the rollout of those uniforms,” Manfred said.

More Happenings

In other news from the owners meetings:

  • MLB’s initiative to implement an automatic ball-strike system in the major leagues is “unlikely” for next year, due largely to a lack of hoped-for progress with the technology during testing in the minor leagues. 
  • The league continues to be enthused about its growth in attendance, which is tracking at more than 2% so far this season, building off last year’s gain of nearly 10%.
  • Houston, Miami, San Juan, and Tokyo have been officially confirmed as competition sites for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. 
  • Efforts are underway to upgrade Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, which will be the temporary home of the A’s during the 2025–27 seasons. Work includes construction of a new home clubhouse, renovation of the visitor’s clubhouse, setup of additional camera positions for TV broadcast, and installation of a new field surface and club seats.

“There’s a lot going on there,” Manfred said of the Sacramento situation.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Raleigh Dumps Competition in HR Derby to Win $1M Prize

“Big Dumper” barely gets into the semifinals before ultimately winning the competition.

MLBPA Chief Says League Missing Chance to Build On Success

Union leaders again call out perceived moves toward a salary cap.
exclusive

Cal Raleigh’s $11M Season a Steal As He Slugs His Way Into..

The Mariners star considers himself an everyday guy, while his play isn’t.
Joy Taylor

Joy Taylor Out As FS1 Armageddon Ends Three Shows

All three shows were struggling to attract audiences.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
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.
July 9, 2025

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

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
NBC Sports
exclusive

NBC Hiring Ex-Hawks Exec Grant Liffmann As NBA Front Office Insider

Liffmann spent the last three years with Atlanta after covering the Warriors.
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.
July 10, 2025

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
F1
July 11, 2025

F1 ‘Poised’ to Choose Apple Money Over ESPN Reach

Formula One looks to be changing lanes.
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
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.
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.
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.