The sports broadcasting landscape’s in for a real shake-up. Main Street Sports Group, the folks behind FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Diamond Sports Group), is in deep trouble over its Major League Baseball broadcast rights.
Let’s take a look at the fallout, who’s getting hit, and how the league’s scrambling to respond to a regional sports network model that’s kind of falling apart.
The Imminent Collapse of Main Street Sports Group and its MLB Footprint
Main Street Sports Group used to dominate the regional sports network game. Now, they’re staring down a possible blackout for their MLB broadcasts this spring.
They can’t find a buyer, and even worse, they’ve missed some pretty important rights-fee payments. That’s sent a jolt through the league.
The Exodus of MLB Teams
Six MLB clubs have already made a move to protect themselves. They’re shifting the production and distribution of their in-market telecasts directly to Major League Baseball for the 2026 season.
The Reds, Royals, Marlins, Brewers, Cardinals, and Rays are all in this group. Honestly, who can blame them for wanting some stability when everything feels so up in the air?
The Tigers’ Complicated Situation
The Detroit Tigers will probably join them. But their situation’s a bit messy.
Their ownership also controls an NHL team that’s on Main Street Sports Network, so there’s a conflict of interest. That could slow down their transition.
Unresolved Futures: Braves and Angels
No one really knows what’s going to happen with the Braves and Angels broadcasts. That just adds more chaos to Main Street’s shaky standing.
Word is, the Braves are gearing up to launch their own network. Maybe that’s the next big thing—team-controlled media?
The Financial Demise and MLB’s Strategic Response
Main Street Sports Group was supposed to carry nine MLB teams in 2026. But things started going south in December when they missed payments.
All nine teams ended up terminating their agreements. That’s how bad it got.
Reduced Rights Fees and Failed Negotiations
Main Street tried to fix things by offering lower rights fees. For example, they put $42 million on the table for the Reds, which was way down from the previous $52 million deal.
But buyers didn’t bite on these new terms. The financial gap just kept growing, and regional sports networks everywhere are feeling the squeeze.
MLB’s Direct-to-Consumer Strategy
Major League Baseball is switching gears. They’ll offer direct-to-consumer subscription packages for the teams they take under their wing.
So instead of a guaranteed rights fee, clubs joining MLB’s group will get revenue tied to whatever the league pulls in from these packages. It’s a bold move—maybe even overdue—to dodge the risks of the old RSN model and reach fans more directly.
The Broader Impact on Regional Sports Networks
Main Street Sports Group’s collapse really shows how rough things have gotten for regional sports networks. Cord-cutting’s done a number on their subscriber base.
That’s left a lot of teams with way less local TV revenue than they’re used to.
Halved Broadcast Deals
Replacement broadcast deals? They’re often about half of what cable used to pay. That’s a huge drop.
It’s pushing teams and leagues to rethink everything and look for new ways to get their games to fans. No one seems to have the perfect answer yet, but the search is definitely on.
Main Street’s Remaining Operations and Uncertain Future
Even with its mess of problems with MLB, Main Street Sports Group still carries NBA and NHL games. Right now, they broadcast for 13 NBA teams and seven NHL teams.
The company wants to keep things running through the rest of these seasons. But honestly, the long-term outlook feels shaky—especially since they just crawled out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year.
The league already controls broadcasts for seven teams for 2026. With RSNs getting more unstable by the day, MLB’s role in managing team broadcasts is growing fast.
It feels like clubs are looking for something steadier, maybe more control, by working directly with the league. That could be the start of a whole new chapter for how fans watch their teams.
Here is the source article for this story: St. Louis Cardinals leave FanDuel SN for MLB’s broadcast group, others to follow
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s