In the ongoing financial dispute between the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles concerning TV rights, a new development has taken place.

The Washington Nationals have taken the matter to the NY County Supreme Court by filing a lawsuit to confirm an arbitration ruling dated November 8, 2023. This ruling granted the Nationals $305 million for their telecast rights covering the years 2017 to 2021. This was first reported by Daniel Wallach,  Legal analyst at the Athletic.

Moreover, as outlined in documents submitted to the New York County Supreme Court, both the Nationals and Orioles have mutually agreed to a stipulation. This stipulation affirms that the $305 million arbitration award in favor of the Nationals should be confirmed.

Earlier this year, as reported by the Washington Post, the Nationals and Orioles resolved their dispute over the value of the Nationals' local television rights spanning 2012 to 2016. However, this settlement did not bring an end to the long-standing conflicts between the two clubs.

For the latest off-season headlines, rumors, trades, and more, stay tuned.

Only months later according to court documents, on July 25-26, 2023, the Revenue Sharing Definitions Committee a standing committee of Major League Baseball, convened in Washington, DC, to address the disagreement between the Baltimore Orioles' Mid-Atlantic Sports Network and the Washington Nationals. The contention centered around the value of the license fee that MASN should pay for the right to telecast Nationals' games from 2017 through 2021.

As per court records, the Revenue Sharing Definitions Committee (RSDC) concluded that license fees are to be paid by MASN to the Nationals for each year from 2017 to 2021. The RSDC categorized the amounts into two periods: pre-COVID and post-COVID.

Here's the breakdown based on court documents.

2017

• Average Annual Value Unadjusted: $64,979,408.93
• Post-Covid Adjustment: $64,979,408.93

2018

• Average Annual Value Unadjusted: $68,722,998.49
• Post Covid adjustment: $68,722,998.49

2019

• Average Annual Value Unadjusted: $70,794,713.31
• Post Covid adjustment: $70,794,713.31

2020

• Average Annual Value Unadjusted: $72,256,103.69
• Post Covid adjustment: $26,761,519.86

2021

• Average Annual Value Unadjusted: $72,839,427.53
• Post Covid adjustment: $72,839,427.53

Average Annual Value

• Average Annual Value Unadjusted: $69,918,530.39
• Post Covid adjustment: $60,819,613.62

The hearing date is scheduled for January. 4, 2024.

The Nats Report is a reader-supported independent project that offers free and paid subscriptions. The Nats Report is not affiliated with the Washington Nationals.

Those who opt for the paid edition are providing vital assistance to bolster our independent coverage of the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball.