ESPN recently unveiled a new artwork featuring a diverse array of athletes. With NBA players flying for dunks and NFL stars mid-tackle, the graphic was pretty impressive until a glaring detail drew attention. Apparently, baseball was barely represented. Only three MLB players—Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani, Yankees’ captain Aaron Judge, and Braves phenom Ronald Acuna Jr.—made the cut.

The absence of other MLB players such as Paul Skenes, Mike Trout, and Bryce Harper was heavily scrutinized. It’s not only about that graphic, though. It taps into the concern about how MLB is really valued in the ESPN landscape. Their caption said, “All the icons. All the moments. All of @espn.” Yet, they missed out on many MLB stars.

The thing is, ESPN and Major League Baseball are reportedly in discussions over a framework agreement. If finalized, it would give ESPN the exclusive rights to sell out-of-market regular-season games across the upcoming three years.

Also, it would give the network rights for in-market games of five clubs—Guardians, Padres, Twins, Diamondbacks, and Rockies, as reported by The Athletic. As of now, both ESPN and MLB have declined to make any comments.

The completion of the deal is not expected until September. This new agreement is expected after ESPN decided to opt out of the last three seasons of its deal with MLB. Under that deal, the network used to pay somewhere around $550 million each year for beloved “Sunday night baseball”, the Home Run Derby, and eight to twelve first-round playoff games.

When the network opted out in February this year, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred called ESPN a “shrinking platform” while he was explaining the decision to the club owners.

All the financial details are still under wraps. However, the reports insist that the payout would be substantial. According to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, it appears that Manfred and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro have moved past their differences. Still, if you ask longtime baseball enthusiasts, they are done with ESPN’s seeming indifference toward baseball.

Fans fuming over ESPN’s MLB snub

The bias in ESPN’s latest artwork was quite evident. From WNBA players to NFL players and other leagues, the graphic had it all. Except for more MLB phenoms. The omission didn’t sit well with the community and invited harsh reactions. A fan pointed to ESPN’s self-proclaimed slogan: “It’s actually infuriating, man. The worldwide leader in sports apparently.”

Reflecting on a sense of relief that they’re parting ways with MLB, a fan noted, “They couldn’t care less their contract runs out with them at the end of this season (#ThankGod).” Well, back in February, ESPN and Major League Baseball mutually agreed to terminate their broadcast contract three years early. It ended a long 35-year partnership.

The absence of marquee players triggered many. “Couldn’t even squeeze in Bryce Harper or Mike Trout,” read another comment. The Phillies’ star Bryce Harper happens to be an NLCS MVP (2022), an NL Rookie of the Year Award winner (2012), an 8-time All-Star, and a 4-time Silver Slugger.

Meanwhile, Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels won three American League (AL) MVP awards (2014, 2016, 2019), a unanimous AL Rookie of the Year Award (2012), and earned 11 AL All-Star selections and nine Silver Slugger Awards. It was baffling not to have these two featured on the ESPN artwork.

Some urged other leagues to cut ties with the network: “They’re the worst company ever, and every sports league needs to cut them off.” The frustration stems from how the network handles its sports coverage, particularly baseball.

Others took their frustration out on MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. “Manfred should’ve told them to go to hell,” well, Manfred himself believes that ESPN is a “shrinking platform” for MLB. He expressed his disappointment over ESPN’s decreasing commitment to MLB coverage earlier this year.

So, a persistent perception among many baseball followers is that ESPN’s coverage and promotion of Major League Baseball are lacking, especially when compared to other major sports. Do you feel the same?