All nine MLB teams whose broadcasts remained on FanDuel Sports Network regional sports network channels are departing the organization.
According to a report from Sports Business Journal, the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays are all departing FanDuel Sports Network, with eight planning to move to MLB Media distribution methods.
The Atlanta Braves are planning to launch their own network, following a recent precedent created when the Texas Rangers struck deals with local cable and satellite providers, a local over-the-air partner, and a streaming platform with the Victory+ platform.
“FanDuel Sports Network is continuing to broadcast NBA and NHL games, and we appreciate the leagues’ engagement in ongoing discussions on our go-forward plans,” a spokesperson for Main Street Sports, the parent company of FanDuel Sports Network, said in a statement. “We appreciate the relationships we have had with our MLB partners and fans over many years, and we wish them the best.”
The announcement of the MLB franchises leaving FanDuel Sports Network comes on the heels of reports that the regional sports network company had been in on-again, off-again talks to sell the organization to DAZN. Those talks have remained fruitless, however, with SBJ noting that the viability of the business is in question following the exit of the MLB broadcasts.
Furthermore, Main Street Sports reportedly did not make payments to its remaining NBA and NHL teams on Sunday as was previously scheduled.
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