sports
MLB faces a historic shift as potential lockout, media rights and other league changes loom
Several changes await MLB after this season, including its CBA's expiration, new media partners, and potential expansion and league realignment.
TL;DR
- MLB's collective bargaining agreement with players expires at the end of this season, with a lockout seen as highly likely.
- Nine MLB teams are launching new MLB-operated channels on DirecTV, having previously been with a financially unstable regional sports network.
- MLB plans to consolidate local media rights for all 30 teams by 2028 to sell them as a national package to a streamer.
- Commissioner Rob Manfred has proposed expanding MLB to 32 teams and realigning the league, potentially eliminating the American and National Leagues.
- Despite potential changes, MLB is experiencing positive momentum with shorter games due to the pitch clock, rising attendance, and higher TV ratings.
- MLB team valuations have increased by 13% in the past year, but the league's profitability margin remains significantly lower than the NFL, NBA, and NHL.