It’s official, ESPN and MLB are calling it quits. It’s fair to call it “a historic split”. After all, they’ve partnered for more than three decades. 35 years to be precise. MLB didn’t part ways with ESPN quietly; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred made sure of it. He pointed out all the league’s reasons to cut ties with ESPN.

As Manfred claimed, ESPN reportedly wanted to cut costs on their broadcasting rights deal with MLB. ESPN was paying out $550 million a year on the deal but wanted to lower that number down, pointing to the $85 million Apple Pays and the $10 million Roku chips in their very own MLB packages. But it didn’t sit well with Manfred. The 2024 data shows that MLB’s Sunday Night Baseball ratings saw a 6% uptick in 2024. The league didn’t want to settle for a lower deal. Because, if anything, the boost in the ratings shows the growth and progress baseball is making.

Additionally, Manfred also stated how unhappy he was with the less airtime MLB was getting in comparison to other sports. The official statement from MLB said, “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.”

Another reason? Reduced cable audience of ESPN. MLB games aren’t reaching as many fans as they used to. In the present time, not many people subscribe to traditional TV.

When ESPN came with an intention to cut costs, Manfred decided to cut ties.

What is the stance of fans on this scenario? Well, it looks like they’re really giving up on ESPN. Fans have deeply expressed their dissatisfaction with ESPN’s Baseball coverage, outraged on X about how glad they are to see ESPN go. For them, MLB cutting ties with ESPN doesn’t look like a loss, but more like it was long overdue.

MLB fans might actually be applauding Rob Manfred for once

Social media is exploding with reactions to the ESPN-MLB fallout; the Baseball community isn’t holding back. Now that the broadcasting deal comes to an end, fans seem to be in a state of frustration and relief at the same time.

“ESPN is horrible with MLB.” This reaction of a fan sums it up that as they see MLB finally breaking free from a broadcaster that, according to them, never really valued the sport. And at the center of it all? Even MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred believes that MLB deserved better.

“No more ESPN. Finally.” and “I love it. ESPN sucks.” Reactions like these give us a hint that fans seem to be celebrating this breakup. Moreover, it looks like they couldn’t be happier to see ESPN out of the frame.

It didn’t really help ESPN tried to reduce the price for its MLB rights, it conveyed that they didn’t care enough for the game. Manfred, on his part, won over the community, as even they refuse to let MLB settle for any less.

On the bright side, all the other streaming platforms have the opportunity to step in. Though nothing is confirmed yet, the ESPN-MLB fallout opens doors for other streaming platforms.

One fan did point out, “We think Fox Sports takes over the majority of the baseball coverage then? Or NBC/Peacock dive into it next season”.

There is also Amazon Prime and Netflix, or even Paramount+ expanding into the sports world. Amazon already has the NBA slotted for next season and Netflix is also slowly getting into the sports arena, so it’s not as if there is a lack of options for MLB.

One was only too happy with this breakup, “Well done . ESPN has been disrespecting our game for too long , even after the crash of the NBA they seem to prioritize basketball over baseball. We don’t need ESPN , we have @MLBNetwork”

MLB has lost its status as the golden game with the rise in popularity of the NBA and the NFL, sure, but there is still a considerably large fanbase for America’s favorite pastime. If nothing else, the baseball fanbase is loyal to the end. You disrespect the sport and you’re out.

To conclude, this is more than just a fallout. Rob Manfred maintained his stance, and the Baseball community got the split they were hoping for. We’re yet to see if this move actually benefits MLB in the longer run. For now, Baseball fans are celebrating a fresh start. The league is moving forward, and the doors are open for other streaming platforms to step in.