With the start of spring training fast approaching, Major League Baseball (MLB) teams are racing against the clock to secure television partnerships for the 2026 season as some franchises start to sever ties with troubled broadcasters.
On Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers announced their decision to join the MLB’s broadcasting portfolio, officially departing from the FanDuel Sports Network and its financially struggling parent company, Main Street Sports Group. Additionally, teams like the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, and Miami Marlins are also making the shift to MLB. Reports indicate that the Tampa Bay Rays have also made the switch, while the Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, and Los Angeles Angels remain undecided about their next steps.
“Our top priority is making sure that Cardinals fans can watch their team as easily as possible,” stated Anuk Karunaratne, senior vice president of business operations for the Cardinals. He emphasized the new broadcasting model will allow fans uninterrupted access to all in-market games across various platforms, including cable, satellite, and streaming. He noted the high-quality production capabilities that MLB brings to the table, which is promising for the future of the Cardinals broadcasts.
Main Street Sports Group, which also broadcasts NBA and NHL games, acknowledged the ongoing discussions surrounding future plans and expressed gratitude for the relationships built with MLB teams and fans over the years. However, the company is facing significant financial challenges, searching for investors while renegotiating contracts with partner teams. Reports suggest that if Main Street cannot secure financial assistance soon, it may be forced to cease operations after the current NBA and NHL seasons.
As of December, nine MLB teams were expected to be carried by Main Street in 2026. However, following missed rights-fee payments, including to the Cardinals, several MLB teams chose to terminate their agreements with the cash-strapped broadcaster. Despite potential financial yields from staying with Main Street, teams are concerned about losing time to generate advertising revenue and streaming subscriptions.
Negotiations have recently shown tension, as Main Street’s revised contracts depend on finding investors. Reports indicated that the revised offer to the Reds dropped significantly from $52 million to approximately $42 million. The ongoing struggles exemplify the broader challenges that regional sports networks (RSNs) face, especially as more viewers opt for streaming services over traditional cable.
With MLB planning to launch direct-to-consumer subscription packages for teams later this month, the shift could signal a new chapter for baseball broadcasts and ensure greater accessibility for fans in the future. As teams make these transitions, there is a hopeful outlook that improved broadcasting solutions will enhance the fan experience, allowing supporters to engage more directly with their teams.