• Loading stock data...
Friday, May 9, 2025
Join us May 14 at 1 p.m. ET for Future of Sports: Leagues of Their Own Register Now

Nationals Finally Free As MASN Rights Settled After 20 Years

A complex media-rights dispute that has frustrated MLB for two decades is finally done, and the implications will likely be far-reaching.

Washington-Nationals
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network dispute involving MLB, the Nationals, and the Orioles—which has roiled the sport for two decades—is at last over following a landmark settlement involving the three entities. 

The Nationals, whose local media rights have been tied to the Orioles-controlled regional sports network for their entire 20-year existence, are free to pursue other deals after a final season on MASN in 2025. The settlement also involves the dismissal of all legal claims, which over the years brought the MASN dispute into a series of courts and internal MLB processes without final resolution.

MASN debuted in 2005 as a means to help compensate the late former Orioles owner Peter Angelos following the relocation of the Montreal Expos to Washington to become the Nationals. Almost immediately in the RSN’s existence, however, the Orioles and Nationals battled over media-rights fees, with Washington alleging the Orioles and MASN were not providing fair-market value. The Nationals were the only MLB team not in full control of their own local rights, and the MASN arrangement—originally designed to last in perpetuity—cast a long cloud over team operations, including unsuccessful prior efforts to sell the franchise.

Because of that, the MASN situation remained one of MLB’s thorniest problems. Ultimately, though, several key factors aided the final settlement:

  • A 2019 legal ruling in the Supreme Court of the State of New York favoring the Nationals. That decision influenced an eventual rights-fee agreement nearly two years ago between the two clubs for the 2011–2016 seasons, and then a subsequent one struck later in 2023 covering the 2017–2021 seasons. A recent decision by MLB’s Revenue Sharing Definitions Committee, which oversaw the settling of rights for both the Orioles and Nationals, similarly found that Washington was due an average of $64.1 million in annual-rights fees for the 2022–2026 seasons. That decision is now being superseded by the settlement. 
  • A nearly complete change from the key figures in the original formation of MASN and litigation of rights fees. Former MLB president Bob DuPuy left the league in 2010, former commissioner Bud Selig departed in early 2015, Angelos died nearly a year ago and just as his family completed a sale of the Orioles to David Rubenstein, and former Nationals owner Ted Lerner died in early 2023. 
  • Large-scale disruption in the entire media business, a situation that now has MLB commissioner Rob Manfred looking to overhaul the sport’s entire portfolio of national and local rights. The MASN split is the second major shift in baseball media in two weeks after the MLB-ESPN divorce

“The Nationals and Orioles extend their gratitude to commissioner Manfred and his team at MLB for their efforts in bringing this matter to a successful conclusion,” the teams said in a joint statement. “Both clubs thank our fans for their support and look forward to continuing their partnership with MASN for the upcoming season.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Next Up?

It now bears close watching whether the Nationals will now align with the Ted Leonsis–controlled Monumental Sports Network. Leonsis is close to Nationals managing principal owner Mark Lerner, and Lerner is part of the ownership group at Monumental Sports & Entertainment. 

Leonsis, meanwhile, has expressed interest acquiring both baseball rights for his RSN, and potentially the Nationals franchise if the Lerner family restarts aborted efforts to sell

“They know our intentions, and at some point, we’ll reengage,” Leonsis told Front Office Sports Today last year regarding the Lerners and the Nationals.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

White Sox

Pope Confirmed White Sox Fan After False Cubs Claims

Pope Leo XIV’s brother confirmed the pontiff is a White Sox fan.

Celtics-Knicks Game 3 Tickets Near Super Bowl Prices

Game 3 against the Celtics has resale ticket prices beginning around $700.

Stars’ $96M Rantanen Bet Paying Off Big at Other Teams’ Expense

Rantanen was traded by Colorado after not agreeing to a contract extension.

Reeling Cavs Have NBA’s Third-Most-Expensive Roster Next Season

Cleveland trails the Pacers, 2–0, in the conference semifinals.

Featured Today

Fat Perez reacts after hitting his shot on the 16th tee during the WHOOP Shot at Glory on the 16th hole at TPC in Scottsdale on Feb. 5, 2025.

Golf Influencers Are the New Currency for PGA Tour and LIV

YouTube golf is big business. The rival tours are staging formal events.
Feb 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson talks with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11), forward Mikal Bridges (25), and guard Josh Hart (3) during a timeout in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.
May 6, 2025

Before the Villanova Knicks, There Were the Kentucky Celtics

Three decades ago, Boston tried its own version of the college-teammate experiment.
Mar 22, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Joao Fonseca (BRZ) reacts after winning a point against Ugo Humbert (FRA)(not pictured) on day five of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 6, 2025

João Fonseca Is a Teen Tennis Phenom. His Parents Are Overseeing His..

The Brazilian is forgoing a management team in favor of his parents.
Athlos
May 4, 2025

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.

Caitlin Clark Is Still Must-See TV, Even in the WNBA Preseason

Indiana will have 41 regular-season games nationally televised or streamed.
May 4, 2025

Kentucky Derby Sets Ratings, Betting Records Despite Attendance Dip

The crowd of 147,406 at Churchill Downs was down 6% from last year.
May 5, 2025

NBA Misses a Dynasty Duel—but Gains a Star-Making Moment

The Warriors defeated the Rockets in seven games.
Sponsored

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

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
Fubo-TV
May 2, 2025

Fubo Loses Subscribers; Focused on Disney Deal Despite Antitrust Probe

The streaming company plans to debut its planned sports bundle this fall.
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; ESPN president John Skipper during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium.
exclusive
May 2, 2025

Former ESPN President John Skipper Leaving Meadowlark Media

Skipper co-founded the company with host Dan Le Batard in 2021.
May 1, 2025

Formula One Courts Bidders As ESPN Exclusivity Laps Out

The motorsports property is in the final year of its ESPN deal.
May 1, 2025

How Larry Collmus Became the Longest-Running Kentucky Derby Caller

Collmus will call his 15th straight Derby on NBC.