MLB Teams Withdraw from FanDuel Sports Network amid Payment Concerns
Nine Major League Baseball clubs have stepped back from their deals with the FanDuel Sports Network amid concerns over unpaid fees and the parent company’s financial stability.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Sources close to negotiations and reporting by The Athletic say the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays have all, at minimum temporarily, ceased their agreements with the FanDuel Sports Network. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed teams are moving their regional content to MLB Media while the situation unfolds.
Teams Shift Broadcasts to MLB Media
The withdrawals represent a tactical retreat rather than an outright severing of ties. League and club officials are reported to be worried about delayed or missing rights-fee payments from Main Street Sports, the company that operates the FanDuel Sports Network under a licensed name. Several franchises informed league offices that scheduled rights-fee installments were not received, prompting them to redirect broadcasts and content partnerships to MLB Media as an interim measure.
“We’ve had to prioritize our obligations to players, staff and fans”, said a team executive who asked not to be named. “When a partner misses payments, it creates operational risk we simply can’t carry. Moving content to MLB Media buys us breathing room while the marketplace sorts out who can reliably pay.”
Commissioner Manfred’s confirmation of the shift underscores the league’s desire to maintain continuity for fans and regional broadcasters. League sources say the change affects promotional packages and pregame content distributed through the network, though national television and streaming contracts with MLB’s primary partners remain unchanged.
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Financial instability at Main Street Sports dates back to a Chapter 11 filing in March 2023. Although the company subsequently reorganized and resumed operations of the FanDuel Sports Network, lingering questions about liquidity and vendor payments have persisted. Industry insiders say Main Street Sports is pursuing new revenue and distribution arrangements, reportedly holding talks with streaming platforms such as Fubo and DAZN to shore up cash flow and broaden distribution.
An anonymous media-rights consultant described the situation as a cautionary tale for sports franchises exploring alternative broadcast partners. “Regional rights are a major revenue stream for clubs. A disruption like this forces teams to reassess risk exposure and strengthens the appeal of league-run distribution or larger, well-capitalized broadcasters”, the consultant said.
It is important to note that FanDuel Sports Network, as operated by Main Street Sports, is a licensed brand and is not affiliated with Flutter Entertainment’s FanDuel sportsbook. That distinction has become a focal point in conversations between clubs and potential media partners, who are wary of brand confusion and associated reputational risk.
For now, the affected clubs appear open to returning to the FanDuel Sports Network if Main Street Sports can demonstrate stable, verifiable payment flows and new distribution agreements. Sources indicate the discussions are ongoing and that any reinstatement of rights deals would be contingent on escrow arrangements or other guarantees.
“Clubs want partners who meet obligations on time and who bring scalable distribution”, said an anonymous league advisor. “Until those boxes are checked, expect conservatism from teams that rely on predictable rights revenue for payroll and local operations.”
What This Means for Broadcast Rights
The episode highlights growing volatility in regional sports broadcasting as smaller operators, streaming entrants and legacy rights holders vie for content. If negotiations with Fubo or DAZN succeed for Main Street Sports, the network could regain stability, but the decision-making process will be closely watched by clubs, sponsors and state regulators overseeing media-rights arrangements. For MLB fans, the immediate consequence is a rerouting of team-produced content through MLB Media while franchises wait for clarity on long-term broadcast partners.
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