NORTHVILLE, MICH. — They were the defending American League Champions, with players on the roster including Gary Sheffield, Curtis Granderson, Omar Infante, “Pudge” Rodriguez and Justin Verlander. The year was 2007, and that’s how long its been since Detroit Tigers baseball games aired on free-to-air television in the Motor City.
That’s about to change.
For the first time in 18 years, the Major League Baseball team that enjoys Spring Training in Lakeland, Fla., will see 10 regular-season games air on WJBK “FOX 2,” thanks to a partnership with rightsholder FanDuel Sports Network and Tigers owner Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. The agreement was announced on Sunday.
Coverage on WJBK-TV includes the Tigers’ home opener on Friday, April 4 against the Chicago White Sox. It’s a simulcast of what can be seen on FanDuel Sports Network’s Michigan feed, and part of a multi-sport agreement that will see five telecasts on WJBK-TV of the National Hockey League’s Detroit Red Wings later in the 2024-2025 season.
Here are the Tigers games to be simulcast on WJBK-TV “FOX 2” in Detroit (all times Eastern):
Friday, April 4: Tigers vs. White Sox, 1:10
Tuesday, April 15: Tigers at Brewers, 7:40
Thursday, May 1: Tigers at Angels, 9:38
Thursday, May 8: Tigers at Rockies, 3:10
Thursday, June 12: Tigers at Orioles, 6:35
Saturday, June 21: Tigers at Rays, 12:10
Friday, June 27: Tigers vs. Twins, 7:10
Thursday, July 3: Tigers at Nationals, 6:45
Friday, July 11: Tigers vs. Mariners, 7:10
Tuesday, Aug. 12: Tigers at White Sox, 7:40
“We are thrilled to bring select Red Wings and Tigers games to a broader television audience across metro Detroit,” said Ilitch Sports + Entertainment President/CEO Ryan Gustafson. “Our commitment to innovate drives us to explore new opportunities for engaging with fans, particularly in how they consume our broadcasts. We extend our gratitude to our partners at FanDuel Sports Network and FOX 2 Detroit for their collaboration in making this vision a reality.”
The last time the Tigers had an over-the-air broadcast package in their home market, it also involved WJBK-TV, a FOX Television Stations property.
