MLB Takeover of Local TV Rights: Impact on SF Giants

Major League Baseball might be heading for a huge shift in how fans tune in to games. With cable TV looking shaky and streaming changing everything, Commissioner Rob Manfred has floated bundling all 30 MLB teams’ local TV rights into a single package. He hopes this would make things simpler for fans and keep league revenue steady. If it happens, baseball’s whole media setup could look very different.

A Bold Vision for MLB’s Broadcast Future

Manfred, talking with Front Office Sports, laid out a future where every team’s local games get sold together when national TV deals run out in 2028. He wants fans to find MLB games more easily, without juggling a bunch of streaming platforms just to watch their team.

Why Centralization Appeals to the Commissioner

Right now, each club sells its own local TV rights—usually to regional sports networks, or RSNs. Manfred thinks that’s clunky, especially now that streaming and cord-cutting have changed the game.

“We are trying to make it easier for fans to access our product,” he says. A single league-wide package could give MLB a stronger digital presence and follow the lead of other sports.

The RSN Model Under Pressure

For years, RSNs brought in steady money for teams. Clubs signed big, long-term deals that gave them predictable cash flow. But that model’s starting to wobble.

The Giants as a Case Study

The San Francisco Giants show both the upside and downside of RSNs. They own 30% of NBC Sports Bay Area, a deal that lasts through 2032 and paid out $92 million in TV rights in 2022.

But even that deal isn’t bulletproof. Cord-cutting, shifting cable agreements—like Comcast’s Xfinity dropping NBC Sports Bay Area—and streaming have cut into the network’s reach. NBC now offers a Peacock add-on, and the Giants also stream games on MLB.tv for local fans.

Industry Instability and Revenue Gaps

RSNs themselves are in a weird spot. Big groups like FanDuel Sports Network have changed hands and even flirted with bankruptcy. MLB has had to step in and produce broadcasts for at least seven teams.

Winners and Losers in a Pooled Rights Model

Pooling local TV rights would probably spread money out more evenly. Small-market teams would see steadier revenue, but big-name clubs might lose out.

In 2022, the Dodgers reportedly made $196 million from local TV, and the Yankees brought in about $142 million. Their deals run deep into the 2030s and 2040s, so untangling them won’t be easy or cheap.

• Pros: More revenue equity, easier access for fans, better streaming leverage
• Cons: Less income for big franchises, tricky contract buyouts

Labor Talks Looming in the Background

Changing MLB’s media strategy can’t happen without considering labor relations. The current collective bargaining agreement ends after the 2026 season, and the next round of talks could get tense.

How CBA Negotiations Could Shape the Outcome

Manfred admits that teams with huge RSN deals won’t join a central system unless there’s something in it for them. These talks might tie in with bigger league goals, maybe even a salary cap. The possibility of a lockout adds even more pressure—and risk—to any big changes in how games get broadcast.

Following in Familiar Footsteps

MLB isn’t exactly stepping into the unknown here. The NFL’s centralized media model shows how unified rights can really boost exposure and keep revenues steady.

There’s also MLS’s league-wide streaming deal with Apple, which points in the same direction.

Will baseball end up going down that road? Hard to say right now.

But honestly, the next few years might totally reshape how people watch, stream, and make money from America’s pastime.

 
Here is the source article for this story: How the SF Giants would be impacted by MLB’s planned takeover of local TV rights