The Seattle Mariners have announced plans to cease the operations of Root Sports by the end of 2025, with Major League Baseball set to assume control of the team’s broadcasts in 2026. This transition marks a strategic shift for the Mariners as they aim to adapt to changing media consumption trends and to leverage MLB’s capabilities to enhance fan experiences. Although this change will result in layoffs for Root Sports employees, the broadcast team is expected to remain largely unchanged.
Regional sports networks (RSNs) have traditionally been a substantial source of revenue for baseball teams. However, the rise of cord-cutting and changes in viewer habits have disrupted this model. While larger market teams like the Yankees and Dodgers continue to thrive with their RSNs, others such as the Padres, Diamondbacks, and Rockies, have transitioned their broadcasts to MLB due to collapsing RSN deals. Most recently, the Twins and Guardians joined this roster in 2025.
In 2023, the Mariners had attempted to revitalize their RSN by taking full ownership of Root Sports, previously co-owned with Warner Bros. Discovery. The network not only aired Mariners games but also covered the NHL’s Seattle Kraken and NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, among others. Despite these efforts, the decision to align with MLB indicates a shift towards more sustainable broadcasting arrangements.
MLB’s approach involves maintaining traditional television broadcasts while offering fans options for blackout-free streaming packages, an appeal to the modern viewer’s preference for digital media consumption. Although less financially lucrative compared to previous RSN contracts, this model alleviates operational costs for teams like the Mariners, potentially impacting team payrolls and financial strategies.
There are broader implications for MLB’s broadcast strategy. Having already secured various in-market rights, MLB intends to streamline its deals, consolidating control over broadcasting for more teams. Commissioner Rob Manfred envisions acquiring rights to all 30 MLB teams by 2028, with the possibility of creating a comprehensive broadcasting package thereafter.
As MLB’s agreements with networks like Fox, Turner, Netflix, and NBC/Peacock are set to expire by 2028, the league is poised for a major restructuring in its media rights agreements. Whether this ambitious plan to market MLB broadcast rights in a unified package can be realized remains to be seen, but the Mariners’ transition is a significant step in that direction.