NBCUniversal is making a play to become Major League Baseball’s next national media partner, submitting a formal offer to acquire a package of high-profile games that ESPN will relinquish after the 2025 season. The move follows ESPN’s decision earlier this year to opt out of its $550 million-per-year deal, which had three years remaining, ending a 35-year partnership.
According to individuals close to the talks, NBC’s bid includes rights to Sunday night games, early postseason rounds, and the Home Run Derby – content that has long been associated with the Disney-owned sports network. The pitch would supplement NBC’s sports offerings and bolster streaming service Peacock, where select games would run alongside traditional broadcasts.
The dual approach mirrors NBC’s NFL and NBA coverage strategies and could help the league maintain a national TV footprint as streaming continues to reshape sports consumption.
While NBC is reportedly offering substantially less than ESPN’s previous rate, the proposal is reportedly more limited in scope. It excludes radio, international, and clip licensing rights- components that drove up ESPN’s price tag. Sources say ESPN had previously floated a reduced $200 million annual renewal offer, but MLB declined.
The Wall Street Journal reports that talks between MLB and NBC have been underway for weeks, with league officials, including Commissioner Rob Manfred, holding direct discussions with Comcast CEO Brian Roberts. The league is exploring a larger reshaping of its media rights portfolio, aiming to bring greater control over both national and local broadcast arrangements after the 2028 season.
In a separate development, NBCUniversal’s cable division, now operating under the name Versant, has expressed interest in acquiring a baseball rights package of its own. That interest is independent of the primary discussions between MLB and NBC. Versant represents cable networks like USA, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel, along with multiple digital properties.
