Reports surfaced on Monday, December 14, 2020 that ESPN is landing rights from Major League Baseball to a playoff round that doesn't exist yet. The New York Post's Andrew Marchand and Joel Sherman reported yesterday that "ESPN and Major League Baseball are closing in on a TV deal that would provide the network exclusive rights to the first round of the playoffs."
What still needs to be negotiated between Major League Baseball and the Players Association if the playoffs will be expanded from 10 to likely 14 teams. Additionally, if the first round of playoffs will be best-of-three.
Once this is worked out, then Major League Baseball and ESPN will most likely finalize the deal.
According to the New York Post report, the deal between ESPN and MLB will reduce the amount of national games broadested on the network while ESPN will broadcast an increased number of rof marquee matchups.
"In the new contract, ESPN will pay a lower average value than its previous eight-year contract that was reported to be for $5.6 billion. Fewer games means less money. The exact dollars and length are not yet publicly known. It is likely to be through 2028 when the Fox and TBS baseball deals end," which was also reported by the New York Post.
Additionally, "In the new contract, ESPN will pay a lower average value than its previous eight-year contract that was reported to be for $5.6 billion. Fewer games means less money. The exact dollars and length are not yet publicly known. It is likely to be through 2028 when the Fox and TBS baseball deals end."
Major Leauge Baseball is currrently engaging other networks about picking up what ESPN does not want, most likely going to be weekday games which could now be broadcasted nationally.
The deal will start in 2022, when ESPN will broadcast 30 to 40 regular season games, which will be down from around 90.
"Sunday Night Baseball will continue with ESPN in talks to keep Alex Rodriguez as the main analyst on the broadcasts, according to sources. His partner, Matt Vasgersian, is probable to return, but a definitive decision has not been made yet," which was also reported by the New York Post.