$127.8 Billion Media Giant Set to Replace ESPN After $550 M Fallout With MLB

It’s not every day that a $127.8 billion heavyweight casually steps in to rescue America’s pastime from a breakup. But when the broadcast royalty goes cold, someone has to pick up the bat. After months of awkward silence following ESPN’s high-profile split, MLB has found a new suitor—one with deep pockets, prime-time ambition, and just enough nostalgia to make it feel like a comeback tour.

The breakup between the MLB and ESPN was a bit ugly, and since then, the MLB has been in the market trying to find new deals. There were many names like Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, TNT Sports, and even Netflix who were rumored to take the streaming rights, but now we have a frontrunner.

If the reports are right, NBCUniversal has made a formal offer to the MLB for its streaming rights. While there are some pros and cons to this deal, NBCUniversal might just get what other billion-dollar giants could not. This news was reported by the Awful Announcing web page, and they also reported what NBC has offered to take up.

The current bid is for streaming rights of the Regular-season games, Postseason games, Sunday Night Baseball, Home Run Derby, and the First round of the MLB postseason. But this deal is significantly less than the $550 million deal with ESPN. And that is mainly because they don’t want the international or radio rights.

There was also some news that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has had meetings with the chief executive of NBC parent Comcast, Brian Roberts. If NBC does manage to nab this deal, it is going to be a big boost. With the NFL Sunday Night Football already there and NBA Sunday Night Basketball starting later this year, MLB Sunday Night Baseball would allow them to hold a Sunday Night sports program all year round.

In short, NBC isn’t just swinging for the fences—it’s aiming to own the entire Sunday scoreboard. If the deal goes through, MLB won’t just get a new home; it’ll be moving into a mansion with year-round parties. Who needs ESPN’s $550 million affection when a legacy network wants to wine and dine you on Peacock? Baseball’s next chapter might just come with a familiar peacock strut.

Manfred signals major shift in MLB’s domestic and international TV deals

The business of baseball has always played hardball behind the scenes—and now, it’s eyeing a whole new playing field. As digital giants circle live sports like vultures over a buffet, MLB is preparing a curveball of its own. Commissioner Rob Manfred, never one to bunt on bold ideas, is ready to redraw the broadcast map—and not just by a few foul lines.

Major League Baseball is eyeing a major shift in its media strategy post-2028, aiming to combine domestic and international TV rights into a single package. With soaring global interest—especially from Japan and Korea—MLB seeks to attract tech giants like Amazon and Apple to broaden their streaming reach.

Commissioner Rob Manfred said, “The explosion in popularity in Korea and Japan” is driving this strategic pivot. Traditionally sold country by country, the league now plans to sell media rights as an international bundle to “drive our media revenue.” Global stars like Shohei Ohtani have played a huge role in this rising demand.

The move offers multiple benefits: simplified negotiations, maximized revenue, and broader global exposure. MLB also gains flexibility to partner with digital platforms offering the best deal. As Manfred put it, “We’re going to sell the rights where we get the best deal,” signaling a new, market-driven approach.

In a world where streaming wars rage and attention spans shrink, MLB isn’t just keeping score—it’s rewriting the rulebook. This isn’t just about chasing eyeballs; it’s about owning the screen, globally. If baseball is America’s pastime, then its future may very well be powered by algorithms and international flair. Batter up, Silicon Valley.