ESPN Keeps MLB Through 2021 ($5.6B Deal)

[Hitmen77]

Plenty more Yankees and Red Sox love for the next 10 years:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...eball/related/

I remember a time, not too long ago, when MLB was having trouble with the popularity of its network TV packages. It wasn't a big draw for the networks. $5.6 B is just for the ESPN deal. There are still deals to work out for the packages that Fox and TBS currently have.

EDIT: I see where the news story says this new deal is for double what ESPN pays per year in their current deal.

[TheOldRoman]

Well, other than giving them one of the wildcard games it's the same as the current contract. Not too bad. I'm just glad they didn't get the playoffs. I hope NBC steps up and takes the main contract away from Fox. I hate the way they cover baseball (and football for that matter). NBC has by far the best picture and sound quality to their broadcasts, and I always like their graphics package while Fox's is overbearing. Also, if it means we get Al Michaels instead of Joe Buck, it's possibly the biggest win ever. I would also like if CBS got the contract, but I haven't heard that they were interested.

[SOXSINCE'70]

Originally Posted by TheOldRoman

Also, if it means we get Al Michaels instead of Joe Buck, it's possibly the biggest win ever.

IMHO,I'd rather NBC use Bob Costas or Vin Scully.

Nobody can call a game like Scully.I don't care if he is 93 years old.
With Harry Caray and Harry Kalas (one of my favorite baseball names) now gone,Scully can call a game like noone else,IMO.
He never gets too excited when the Dodgers win or too depressed when they lose.

[Lip Man 1]

That's to bad that ESPN kept part of the deal.

Scully by the way isn't quite that old! LOL and he announced Sunday he's returning to the booth next year for the Dodgers.

Lip

[asindc]

Originally Posted by TheOldRoman

Well, other than giving them one of the wildcard games it's the same as the current contract. Not too bad. I'm just glad they didn't get the playoffs. I hope NBC steps up and takes the main contract away from Fox. I hate the way they cover baseball (and football for that matter). NBC has by far the best picture and sound quality to their broadcasts, and I always like their graphics package while Fox's is overbearing. Also, if it means we get Al Michaels instead of Joe Buck, it's possibly the biggest win ever. I would also like if CBS got the contract, but I haven't heard that they were interested.

Whiz!! Bang?!%! Zoooom!!!

[PKalltheway]

Originally Posted by Lip Man 1

That's to bad that ESPN kept part of the deal.

Scully by the way isn't quite that old! LOL and he announced Sunday he's returning to the booth next year for the Dodgers.

Lip

Originally Posted by Maury Brown

‏@BizballMaury
Before any expenses, as part of new ESPN deal w/MLB, ea club gets approx. $23.33M a yr. up from $10.2M. And think: FOX, TBS still to renew

Every club getting an extra $23 million per year can't be too bad.

[getonbckthr]

Originally Posted by PKalltheway

Every club getting an extra $23 million per year can't be too bad.

I wonder did ESPN just pay Peavy and Youkilis for the Sox?

[WhiteSox5187]

Originally Posted by getonbckthr

I wonder did ESPN just pay Peavy and Youkilis for the Sox?

No.

I am also disappointed ESPN gets to keep the contract because it just means ten more years of hype for the "Empire" and the "nation."

[DSpivack]

Originally Posted by getonbckthr

I wonder did ESPN just pay Peavy and Youkilis for the Sox?

Unless the White Sox are somehow getting more than other clubs, no.

[Viva Medias B's]

This is a supreme disappointment. I was hoping NBC Sports Network would get the baseball cable package. Hopefully, NBCSN will get the TBS package and NBC will get the Fox package.

[TDog]

Originally Posted by Lip Man 1

That's to bad that ESPN kept part of the deal.

Scully by the way isn't quite that old! LOL and he announced Sunday he's returning to the booth next year for the Dodgers.

Lip

It says something that Vin Scully's career in Brooklyn started five years after Harry Caray's career in St. Louis, and Harry Caray is long dead.

I don't mind ESPN being part of the deal, occasionally showing baseball, although I don't believe baseball should be played on Sunday nights. I would have ESPN blocked if it weren't for the occasional live game.

[kba]

"ESPN also picked up rights to carry games featuring more popular teams, such as the Yankees and Red Sox, more frequently."

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/D.../MLB-ESPN.aspx

[Hitmen77]

Originally Posted by kba

"ESPN also picked up rights to carry games featuring more popular teams, such as the Yankees and Red Sox, more frequently."

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/D.../MLB-ESPN.aspx

...because they really don't show enough Yankees and Red Sox now.

NYY and Bos better get used Sunday night games being the norm for them for the entire season.

[mrfourni]

Originally Posted by Hitmen77

...because they really don't show enough Yankees and Red Sox now.

NYY and Bos better get used Sunday night games being the norm for them for the entire season.

ESPN can show the Yankees and Red Sox on Sunday night every week for all that I care. I don't usually watch Sunday Night Baseball (Sunday nights are by far the best TV night of the week for me), and I much prefer watching the Sox on Sunday afternoons. I know out of market fans probably disagree, but I just don't understand the appeal of national broadcasts for the White Sox.

[Hitmen77]

Originally Posted by mrfourni

ESPN can show the Yankees and Red Sox on Sunday night every week for all that I care. I don't usually watch Sunday Night Baseball (Sunday nights are by far the best TV night of the week for me), and I much prefer watching the Sox on Sunday afternoons. I know out of market fans probably disagree, but I just don't understand the appeal of national broadcasts for the White Sox.

I don't think it's wanting more national broadcasts for the Sox as much as wanting more variety available for non-Chicago games than just having those be mostly the same couple of teams all the time.

MLB Network has helped with that problem. This year, I subscribed to mlb.tv, so it's not an issue for me at all for this season.