MLB Teams Face TV Revenue Crisis as FanDuel Networks Struggles

Uncertainty looms over 9 teams' broadcast deals as Main Street Sports Group seeks renegotiations

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:35pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in muted colors, conveying the fragmented and uncertain nature of regional sports network deals in the MLB.The fragmented, uncertain future of regional sports network deals casts a shadow over the upcoming MLB season.Kansas City Today

The fate of TV revenue for nine MLB teams, including the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and Los Angeles Angels, is in limbo as FanDuel Networks' parent company Main Street Sports Group attempts to renegotiate payments with its partner teams across MLB, NBA, and NHL. This could lead to teams receiving less money than anticipated, acquiring a new broadcast partner, or both, significantly impacting roster construction ahead of the upcoming season.

Why it matters

Regional sports networks have seen declining revenues due to cord-cutting and streaming, putting pressure on teams' TV deals. This latest development adds uncertainty to an already slow MLB free agency period, as teams may have to adjust their spending plans depending on the outcome of the Main Street negotiations.

The details

Main Street Sports Group, the financially troubled operator of regional sports channels, is attempting to renegotiate payments with 29 partner teams, including 9 MLB teams. This includes the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays. The potential outcomes range from teams receiving less money than expected to acquiring a new broadcast partner entirely.

  • Last month, Main Street missed a payment to the St. Louis Cardinals.
  • The Cardinals are now deliberating whether to return to FanDuel SN next season.
  • Many teams, including the Cardinals, are expected to decide soon whether to stay with FanDuel under a revised agreement or leave the network entirely.

The players

Main Street Sports Group

The financially troubled operator of regional sports channels that is attempting to renegotiate payments with 29 partner teams across MLB, NBA, and NHL.

St. Louis Cardinals

One of the MLB teams deliberating whether to return to FanDuel SN next season after Main Street missed a payment to the team last month.

MLB

The league that has managed TV production and distribution for multiple teams in the last three seasons and is expected to have at least seven teams in 2026.

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What’s next

The Cardinals are currently working with FanDuel Sports Network, Major League Baseball, and other stakeholders regarding their alternatives for local media distribution in 2026.

The takeaway

This latest TV revenue crisis highlights the broader challenges facing regional sports networks and the increasing uncertainty for MLB teams when it comes to securing stable broadcast deals. Teams may have to get creative in finding new revenue streams or adjust their spending plans accordingly.