The All-Star Game taking place in Atlanta is right around the corner now. And so, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is rushing to finalize new media rights deals before July 15. Manfred is currently in conversations with potential media partners.

ESPN is set to lose its rights after this season for ‘Sunday Night Baseball,’ the ‘Wild Card Round,’ and the ‘Home Run Derby.’ So, all these beloved shows will be up for grabs now by others.

Apparently, ESPN offered way less money than MLB expected. It clearly didn’t sit well with Manfred. So, new suitors are in the race now, and in that race is a $3.419 trillion tech titan too. Reportedly, Apple TV is a leading contender to get some of MLB’s media rights.

Also in the race is NBCUniversal. But when NBCU offered to buy part of the regular-season and postseason games, their offer was even lower than what ESPN was paying. That lower-than-expected deal has once again disappointed Manfred.

As of now, Manfred wants to secure a short-term deal that will allow MLB to bridge the gap until a major rights overhaul in 2028. And so far, Apple’s staggering market cap of over $3 trillion has tilted the odds in its favor, and it’s very likely that it’ll get some relinquished rights.

Opening up about the media rights drama, Manfred pointed out, “I’m hopeful that in the next few weeks, prior to the All-Star Game, we get something done.” He shared that there are “three sets of conversations” happening around him and “it’s a lot” to take. Apparently, each set involves a different group of content. MLB is reportedly talking to three different people about different packages.

Manfred hopes to resolve these deals by mid-July. These are temporary fixes until 2028, when MLB’s bigger contracts with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery will end.

His long-term plan is to shift how all the media rights work. The main goal is to combine national and local games into one clear plan. For now, he seems fine with making less money for what it’s worth—MLB enthusiasts being able to watch the games.

Why does Apple TV make more sense for MLB than NBC?

After the 2025 season, ESPN will be officially walking away from MLB. Consequently, a big opening for Apple TV+ and NBC emerged. While NBC is in the race, Apple is a far better fit for where MLB is heading. And no, it’s not about the money.

For instance, Apple is already in a functional relationship with MLB through its ongoing contract for Friday Night Baseball. That already built foundation makes it easy for Manfred to materialize its expansion. For bigger events such as Sunday Night Baseball, the Home Run Derby, and even the All-Star Game, for that matter, it’ll be much more fitting by all means if Apple TV gets the media rights.

For NBC, it’ll be an entirely new setup. Managing the broadcast from scratch is time-consuming and costlier. It’s also the timing that makes more sense. The company is open to a 3-year rights deal that gives MLB a bit of flexibility before its major contracts with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery expire.

On the other end of the spectrum, NBC offers broader reach via traditional TV. However, even then, Apple offers a better tech-first and subscription-based platform that fits well.

MLB is on the rise at this point, and there’s a whole new excitement as the All-Star Game is around. For Manfred, Apple TV ticks all the boxes. Let’s see what eventually happens. We won’t have to wait too long to know.