ESPN, the so-called “worldwide leader in sports,” seems to have taken a detour into investigative takedowns—this time with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in their crosshairs. After a messy fallout over a lucrative TV deal, the network reportedly tried to put Manfred on blast, but not everyone is buying their journalistic integrity.
Was this a noble attempt at holding power accountable, or just a high-stakes grudge match? Either way, the backlash is hitting ESPN harder than a fastball down the middle.
ESPN and MLB have been in partnership for a very long time. But now as it comes to an end, looks like ESPN is to blame for losing this deal.
The 1990 deal made ESPN a large platform for baseball fans. But as the years passed, ESPN started to take steps that were not well-received. The 2021 ESPN-MLB deal granted rights to 30 regular-season games, the Home Run Derby, and the Wild Card series but instead, saw the network reduce its baseball coverage.
MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred did not waste any time in saying that ESPN was in the wrong. “We have not been pleased with the minimal coverage that MLB has received on ESPN’s platforms over the past several years outside of the actual live game coverage,” mentioned Manfred.
[SI] ESPN Disputes Breakup With MLB Over National TV Deal Was ‘Mutual’: “ESPN approached MLB in an attempt to reduce its $550M fee, which is far above Apple TV’s $85M deal and Roku’s $10M agreement. ESPN was surprised by Manfred’s note to MLB owners they had mutually agreed to end their relationship
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This comes after ESPN scaled back its baseball coverage. They reduced the number of games aired and discontinued daily shows like “Baseball Tonight” in 2017, majorly impacting baseball viewership.
In response to Manfred’s comments, ESPN highlighted its fiscal responsibilities. They stated that they were making a strategic shift towards digital and social platforms as reasons for opting out of the deal.
But was ESPN’s “strategic shift” really about evolving with the times, or just a convenient excuse for sidelining baseball? Either way, the damage is done—MLB is moving on, and ESPN is left cleaning up the mess. Now, it turns out that being the “worldwide leader in sports” doesn’t mean much if you keep dropping the ball.
Has ESPN lost MLB fans forever? Social media thinks So
ESPN’s breakup with Major League Baseball isn’t just a business decision—it’s a betrayal in the eyes of many fans. After years of cutting back on coverage, baseball loyalists aren’t exactly mourning the network’s exit. If social media is any indication, ESPN may have lost MLB fans for good—and they’re not shy about letting the world know.
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ESPN tried to play hardball with MLB, but instead of a home run, they struck out. Fans aren’t buying the “strategic shift” excuse—especially when ESPN practically admitted they fumbled the deal by pushing for a renegotiation. Guess they misread the pitch.
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With MLB out of the picture, ESPN might as well slap a “Baseball? Never Heard of It” sign on their HQ. Fans believe the network will now go all-in on the NFL, College Football, and the NBA—because who needs America’s pastime anyway?
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ESPN claims they “opted out” of the MLB deal, but let’s be real—MLB wasn’t exactly begging them to stay. ESPN asked for a cheaper deal, and MLB shut the door. Mutual? Sure, in the same way, a breakup text is mutual.
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For years, fans accused ESPN of playing favorites, giving endless prime-time slots to big-market teams like the Yankees and Dodgers while ignoring smaller clubs. So when the network lost its MLB deal, some joked they were just mad they couldn’t force another Yankees-Dodgers Sunday night showdown.
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Rob Manfred isn’t exactly a fan favorite, but for once, the internet seems to be siding with him. After years of ESPN sidelining baseball, fans are calling this a “Very rare Manfred W”—because even a broken clock is right twice a day.
If Manfred is winning the PR battle, you know ESPN really dropped the ball. The network may survive without baseball, but winning back MLB fans? That’s a tougher game. And as it turns out, the real “strategic shift” was fans shifting away from ESPN. Thoughts?
The post ESPN Under Scrutiny After Trying to Expose MLB Commissioner Over TV Deal Fallout appeared first on EssentiallySports.