MLB is shaking up the broadcast game, and the usual suspects aren’t the only ones in the race. With ESPN lost, three industry heavyweights are circling like vultures, each hungry to stake their claim. The league, meanwhile, seems more than happy to play kingmaker—because why settle for one suitor when a bidding war is so much more fun?

We all know about the fall-out between MLB and ESPN. But now there is news that three of the biggest broadcasters have gotten in the ring. And the winner gets bragging rights for broadcasting baseball games.

The X handle of Awful Announcing recently reported that “heavy hitters” like Netflix, Amazon, and NBC are in talks with MLB. And with them battling it out, ESPN will be long forgotten. But let us understand why these big players are the right fit for MLB.

The first contender is Amazon. They have been one of the biggest and the most aggressive investors in broadcasting. As we all know, they already have deals with the NBA and the NFL. And adding MLB to this list will be a win-win scenario for both parties. A Sunday Night Baseball deal would bring so much to the sport of baseball.

The second is Netflix. And they have been making quite some noise in the sports department. They have been broadcasting some of the biggest sports events like Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and the NFL Christmas Day Game. As we all know, they also signed one of the biggest deals with WWE for their Monday Night RAW event. But it looks like they are interested only in the MLB playoff games. Just like their one-off event of NFL Christmas Day.

And the last one is NBC. It has been building its platform around sporting events for a long time, which finally paid off when they got the deal for Sunday Night Football. NBC has also planned to bring back Sunday Night Basketball from the next NBA season. The addition of Sunday Night Baseball will give them a major sports event to broadcast all year round.

Along with this, it was reported that Fox is considering a 4th of July holiday showcase as a new annual tradition. With this, Fox may also take over the broadcasting rights for the MLB Home Run Derby from ESPN.

And this might not be the end. More broadcasters like Peacock might enter the contest and make this deal a bit more interesting. But the biggest question will be if the MLB can get the price that they deserve.

MLB isn’t just shopping for a new broadcaster—it’s orchestrating a power play. With streaming giants and legacy networks clawing for a piece of the action, baseball is no longer just a game; it’s premium entertainment up for grabs. Now, the only question is: Who’s willing to cough up the cash to play ball?

Rob Manfred says it is done with ESPN not giving importance to baseball

MLB has finally had enough of being ESPN’s afterthought. After years of watching the network fawn over the NFL and NBA while treating baseball like a nostalgic relic, the league is calling it quits. Now, with new suitors lining up, MLB is ready to remind everyone that America’s pastime still commands a premium seat at the table.

Rob Manfred has said that MLB will no longer be a partner with ESPN. And this decision was a long time coming. Manfred 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.”

And he was not wrong. ESPN has slowly but surely pushed MLB to the side to make more room for other sports. They dropped Monday Night Baseball and Wednesday Night Baseball broadcasts but kept the other sports going.

Once a staple, Baseball Tonight was largely replaced by SportsCenter clips. This meant less pre-and post-game coverage of MLB and its analysis.  So now, MLB isn’t just walking away—it’s making a statement. If ESPN wants to treat baseball like a forgotten relic, the league will find a partner that actually values the sport. With major broadcasters circling, one thing is clear: MLB won’t be begging for airtime—it’ll be naming its price.