With the possible exception of the Atlanta Braves, Diamond Sports Group appears ready to drop almost every MLB team if they cannot renegotiate their contracts on more favorable terms. The court hearing on Wednesday unveiled this message and sent shockwaves through the baseball television landscape, leaving many in a state of uncertainty. It’s a developing situation that could have major implications for teams and fans alike. During a federal bankruptcy hearing, broadcasting attorney Andrew Goldman dropped a bombshell, revealing that Diamond intends to take on a single telecast rights agreement—the one for the Atlanta Braves.

He also clarified that the plan will reject all the other teams and agreements within Major League Baseball. Jim Bromley, a lawyer for MLB, expressed his surprise at the news He stated that the league had no prior knowledge of what was unfolding. “We had no information about what is being done,” he said according to The Athletic. “It’s unfortunate that we’ve been sandbagged in this way.” Diamond and MLB have been locked in a tense standoff throughout the entire bankruptcy process. MLB has consistently voiced skepticism about  Diamond’s ability to navigate this crisis raising serious doubts about the company’s future. The big question of how many MLB teams Diamond will ultimately carry in 2025 is still up in the air!  

Diamond’s message to the league is clear: they want to renegotiate the remaining deals. The situation has sparked a lot of back-and-forth between the two parties. Wednesday in court, Goldman disclosed that Diamond Sports Group had essentially withdrawn from communication with the commissioner’s office. A spokesperson for the commissioner opted not to comment immediately after the hearing on Wednesday, leaving many questions unanswered. The drama unfolded during a status update hearing, where Diamond dropped a revised plan to exit bankruptcy just as the session kicked off. But how did we get to this point?

Teams to explore new deals as Diamond likely to cut ties

After this season, Diamond’s contracts with the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, and Milwaukee Brewers expire, opening the door to further talks. The Rangers intend to take matters into their own hands by managing their telecasts independently and selling games directly to distributors outside of MLB. This shift could signal a new era for how teams approach their broadcasting rights. 

Currently, eight teams remain under contract for 2025. Diamond Sports Group declared on Wednesday that it would not renew the contracts with the Tigers and Rays. They would instead keep the one with the Braves. Nonetheless, the Rays and Tigers can still work out new agreements, so the options are still available. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, and Miami Marlins are now in a unique position, as are the other five teams that Diamond has dealt with.  

Technically, their contracts can’t be assumed or rejected because they aren’t formally part of the bankruptcy proceedings. These teams are referred to as the “joint-venture teams,”. But Diamond has essentially walked away from a “joint-venture” team before. In the middle of the 2023 season, Diamond decided not to pay the San Diego Padres. As a result, the team reclaimed its broadcasting rights. Will the broadcasting company regain its right or will it go in a different direction altogether? Share what you think in the comments below.