The world of Major League Baseball (MLB) broadcasting has been thrown into a whirlwind of uncertainty and opportunity as nine teams have officially terminated their contracts with the FanDuel Sports Network and its parent company, Main Street Sports Group. This sweeping move, confirmed on January 8, 2026, signals a decisive shift in how America’s pastime may reach its fans in the coming seasons.
The teams affected by this seismic decision are the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays. All nine franchises had relied on FanDuel Sports Network for their local telecasts, but mounting financial instability from Main Street Sports Group—formerly known as Diamond Sports Group—forced their hand. The tipping point? Missed payments, including a notable default to the Cardinals in December 2025 and a recent lapse with the Marlins, left clubs justifiably anxious about their financial futures and broadcast stability.
What prompted such a coordinated exodus? The answer lies in the ongoing financial turmoil plaguing Main Street Sports Group. After resurfacing from a protracted bankruptcy in early 2025, optimism was short-lived. Reports from Sports Business Journal and other outlets revealed that Main Street’s survival now hinges on a possible sale—rumored suitors include streaming platform Fubo—before the end of the current NBA and NHL seasons. Talks with DAZN, another potential buyer, have all but fizzled, with the company reportedly demanding steep pay cuts in new rights contracts, a non-starter for most teams.
For the nine MLB clubs, the decision to terminate was as much about self-preservation as it was about flexibility. By opting out now, these organizations protect themselves from the risk of being locked into contracts with a partner on the brink of another bankruptcy. As one source close to the negotiations explained, “Termination of the deals does not preclude those teams… from returning on renegotiated agreements.” This echoes the last time Main Street—then Diamond Sports Group—filed for bankruptcy from 2023 to 2025, when similar terminations ultimately led to reworked deals.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the situation in a news conference at the league’s New York offices. Ever the steady hand in a storm, Manfred reassured fans and stakeholders alike: “No matter what happens, whether it’s Main Street, a third party or MLB media, fans are going to have the games.” He added, “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 third party.” Manfred made it clear that the league is ready and able to step in as a distributor, should the need arise.
MLB has recent experience in this arena. In 2023, after Diamond Sports Group missed a payment to the San Diego Padres, the league took over those broadcasts. Arizona followed that July, with Colorado joining in 2024 and Cleveland and Minnesota in 2025. For the 2026 season, Seattle is being added to the MLB distribution mix, and the Washington Nationals may soon follow as they exit the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. Commissioner Manfred emphasized, “The clubs have control over the timing. They can make a decision to move to MLB Media because of the contractual status now. I think that what’s happening right now clubs are evaluating their alternatives. Obviously, they’ve made significant payroll commitments already and they’re evaluating the alternatives to find the best revenue source for the year and the best outlet in terms of providing quality broadcasts to their fans.”
But why does this matter so much? Local media deals are the lifeblood of many MLB franchises, accounting for more than 20%—and in some cases up to 30%—of team revenues. These contracts provide fixed, reliable income, crucial for planning player payrolls and long-term investments. The unraveling of the traditional cable model, accelerated by Main Street’s woes, could have far-reaching effects on team spending, competitive balance, and even the broader economics of the sport. As one ESPN report noted, “The potential loss of that revenue for nine additional teams could have a major impact on spending this offseason, further exacerbating payroll-disparity concerns as the linear-cable model continues to crumble.”
MLB has taken steps to cushion the blow. In 2024, the league and the MLB Players Association agreed to a one-time distribution of up to $15 million per team—funded from luxury tax overages—for clubs that lost local media revenue. However, no such arrangement is in place for 2025 or beyond. When asked about ongoing assistance, Manfred was candid: “We are not providing financial assistance right now.” The lack of a safety net for 2026 and beyond puts added pressure on teams to secure new, stable broadcast partners or embrace MLB’s in-house solution.
For fans, the immediate concern is simple: Will they still be able to watch their favorite teams? Commissioner Manfred’s promise is unequivocal—games will be available, whether through MLB Media, a third party, or a revised deal with Main Street. The league’s local-media department, established in response to regional sports network (RSN) instability, is now well-versed in negotiating cable and satellite deals, generating advertising revenue, and making local streaming available via MLB.tv. Under a recent media-rights agreement, ESPN now owns MLB.tv, further expanding the league’s digital reach.
Yet, uncertainties remain. None of the new deals signed by the nine departing teams extends beyond 2028, aligning with MLB’s long-term vision of bringing all 30 franchises under a unified national broadcast umbrella. In the meantime, clubs are weighing their options—some may return to Main Street if the company stabilizes or is sold, while others could join MLB’s growing roster of directly managed telecasts. As Main Street Sports Group itself stated, “We remain in active dialogue with all of our MLB team partners regarding potential revised terms of our agreements going forward.”
The stakes are high, not just for the teams but for the entire ecosystem of sports broadcasting. With traditional cable faltering and streaming platforms jockeying for position, MLB’s next moves could set the template for how professional sports are delivered to fans in the digital age. As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes are on the league’s ability to adapt, innovate, and ensure that America’s pastime remains accessible to its devoted followers—no matter where or how they choose to watch.
For now, the situation is fluid. Teams are exploring their options, negotiations are ongoing, and the fate of Main Street Sports Group hangs in the balance. But one thing is certain: the game will go on, and fans won’t be left in the dark.
