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ESPN and MLB can’t agree on a deal

The sports broadcasting world was stunned Thursday after ESPN and Major League Baseball (MLB) announced they will no longer be partners following the 2025 season. MLB and ESPN agreed to opt out of their contract’s last three years.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred sent a memo to clubs that was obtained by The Athletic, in which he confirmed ESPN had asked the league to “reduce the amount (ESPN) pay for MLB content over the remainder of the term.” Their current deal was for seven years worth $550 million annually, and featured Sunday Night Baseball, the Home Run Derby and wild-card games. But Apple and Roku have since negotiated slimmer packages of games for less cash.

MLB not happy with ESPN lack of coverage

According to the Manfred Missive “Furthermore, we have not been pleased with the minimal coverage that MLB has received on ESPN’s platforms over the past several years outside of the actual live game coverage,” the commissioner wrote in part.

“While ESPN has stated they would like to continue to have MLB on their platform, particularly in light of the upcoming launch of their DTC product, we do not think it’s beneficial for us to accept a smaller deal to remain on a shrinking platform. In order to best position MLB to optimize our rights going in to our next deal cycle, we believe it is not prudent to devalue our rights with an existing partner but rather to have our marquee regular season games, Home Run Derby and Wild Card playoff round on a new broadcast and/or streaming platform.”

ESPN has carried MLB games since 1990, but the network cut back its coverage in the current contract to 30 regular-season games — mostly on Sunday night — and the Wild Card postseason series. ESPN also had the Home Run Derby and 10 spring training games.

The previous eight-year deal, which ran from 2014 through 2021, saw ESPN broadcast up to 90 regular-season games. It also stopped airing the daily “Baseball Tonight” highlights and news show in 2017.

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ESPN issued their side of the story

“We are grateful for our longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball and proud of how ESPN’s coverage super-serves fans,” the statement said. “In making this decision, we applied the same discipline and fiscal responsibility that has built ESPN’s industry-leading live events portfolio as we continue to grow our audience across linear, digital and social platforms. As we have been throughout the process, we remain open to exploring new ways to serve MLB fans across our platforms beyond 2025.”

No shortage of potential partners

It was a surprise that ESPN would not want MLB content as part of their soon-be-launched direct-to-consumer streaming channel. Presently, Friday Night Baseball is on Apple TV while Roku Sunday Morning Baseball will continue.

Manfred eyes a larger streaming package for 2028 with no shortage of potential partners. We can start with Apple TV and Roku who already have deals, Amazon Prime Video has regional deals with MLB and they will be in the mix. You can’t count out either Netflix or YouTube as paters, or CBS/Paramount+ and NBC/Peacock.

It remains to be seen if ESPN made a good choice to get out of the deal.

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Geopolitical issues heighten the showdown

Canada beat the USA 3-2 in overtime to end the nine-day tournament that captured the attention of the hockey world and beyond. Canada’s win culminated dramatically at TD Garden in Boston as the USA and Canada both scored tying goals before reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner Connor McDavid scored in overtime to secure a Canadian championship at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

McDavid became the eighth player to record a point in all of his team’s games at an NHL International Tournament (min. 4 GP) and second to do so at the 4 Nations Face-Off (also Zach Werenski). The others: Vladimir Krutov (9 GP at 1987 CC), Mike Bossy (7 GP at 1981 CC), Sergei Makarov (6 GP at 1984 CC), Mats Sundin (4 GP at 1996 WCH), Calle Johansson (4 GP at 1996 WCH) and Tomas Holmstrom (4 GP at 2004 WCH).

The USA and Canada rivalry was amped up when President Donald Trump suggested Canada become the 51st state. The comment sparked a nationwide outrage in Canada causing the booing of the US National Anthem when the teams played in Montreal. That game sparked three fights in the first nine seconds of the game that the USA won 3-1.

Trump and Trudeau trade jabs

Early Thursday afternoon Trump said because of a prior commitment — a gathering of Republican governors in Washington — he couldn’t attend the game in Boston.

“But we will all be watching, and if Governor Trudeau would like to join us, he would be most welcome. Good luck to everybody, and have a GREAT game tonight. So exciting!” he wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

Trump also shared a video on Truth Social from ESPN showing part of his call to the players.

“Just go out and have a good time tonight. I just want to wish you a lot of luck. You are a skilled group of people. It’s an honor to talk to you and get out there, and there’s no pressure whatsoever,” Trump told them, prompting some laughs from the players.

After the game Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a jab at President Donald Trump after Canada’s victory over the United States in an international hockey tournament on Thursday.

“You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game,” Trudeau wrote on X.

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Crosby keeps racking up the records

Sidney Crosby (1-4—5 in 4 GP), Canada’s 37-year-old veteran leader, finished the tournament tied for second in points. Crosby has now captained Canada to international wins at the Winter Olympic Games (2014), World Championship (2015) and at two NHL International Tournaments: 2016 World Cup of Hockey and the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Crosby, Brad Marchand and Drew Doughty all won their second NHL International Tournament, boosting the number of players who have won multiple championships to 19 (18 skaters, 1 goaltender). Crosby and Doughty also have won two Olympic gold medals together (2010 & 2014).

NHL Action Returns Saturday

Alex Ovechkin and the Eastern Conference-leading Capitals will resume The Gr8 Chase and their pursuit of a playoff spot across two doubleheaders this weekend, part of a 24-game slate over two days. Ovechkin and the Capitals face their long-time rivals, the Penguins, Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN+, SN360 and TVAS, then close out the weekend hosting Connor McDavid and the Oilers on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on TNT, Max, truTV, SN and TVAS.

Saturday’s 14-game schedule will see approximately 12 hours of continuous games, starting with the Wild visiting the Red Wings (12:30 p.m. on ABC, ESPN+) in the first half of an ABC doubleheader that is followed by the aforementioned Capitals-Penguins game, and closing with the Canucks visiting the Golden Knights (10 p.m. ET on SN, CBC, CITY, SCRIPPS) which caps a four-game Hockey Night in Canada broadcast. A full preview of Saturday’s return to action will be part of the Morning Skate released on Saturday morning.

TAMPA. Fla. (AP) — The New York Yankees dropped their ban on beards Friday, 49 years after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner, in a move aimed to improve player recruitment as the team tries to win its first World Series title since 2009.

Current owner Hal Steinbrenner, son of The Boss, announced the change Friday before the team’s spring training opener. He called the ban “outdated” and “somewhat unreasonable.”

“This generation, the vast majority of 20, 30s-into-the-40s men in this country have beards,” Steinbrenner said during a news conference, flanked by general manager Brian Cashman. “It is a part of who these younger men are. It’s part of their character. It’s part of their persona. Do I totally relate to that? It’s difficult for me. I’m an older guy who’s never had a beard in his life but it’s a very important thing to them. They feel it defines their character.”

George Steinbrenner announced the facial policy during spring training in 1976, mandating no long hair or beards — mustaches were allowed. Players complied but some pushed boundaries by going unshaven or letting hair fall over their collars.

“My dad was in the military. He believed that a team should look in a disciplined manner,” Hal Steinbrenner said. “Very important to my father, but again (for) my father, nothing is more important than winning and that’s in the back of my mind.”

Hal Steinbrenner, who succeeded his father as controlling owner in November 2008, said he had considered the issue for a decade and discussed the contemplated change recently with Yankees stars Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole in one-on-one meetings. Steinbrenner then issued a statement Friday morning that “we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward.”

Cashman said CC Sabathia hesitated because of the hair policy before signing with the Yankees ahead of the 2009 season and the agent of a player contemplating a minor league contract this offseason wasn’t sure his client would be willing to shave.

Cashman said some current players had told him of the facial hair ban: “It’s not what I want. It’s not my preference, but I will honor the rules of the land.”

As recently as Monday, the Yankees had left reminders on the clubhouse chair of each player to arrive clean shaven the following morning for photo day.

All-Star closer Devin Williams, acquired in an offseason trade from Milwaukee, had hair on his chin for his photo. Williams, eligible for free agency after this season, had a beard when he played for the Brewers.

“The New York Yankees are different,” Cashman said. “This is obviously a special place in baseball history. That logo has a lot of meaning behind it and we want our past and our present players to recognize that, and the future players to recognize that. So ultimately there’s still going to be things that we’re going to hold onto that are important for us, but I think as just Hal said more importantly is always trying to be a championship-caliber franchise and chasing winning.”

Outfielder Alex Verdugo was forced to trim his previously long hair when he was traded to the Yankees ahead of the 2024 season. Clay Holmes and Gleyber Torres arrived at spring training this year with beards after leaving the Yankees.

George Steinbrenner, who bought the Yankees in 1973, died in 2010.

“I have nothing against long hair per se,” George Steinbrenner said in 1976, according to The New York Times. “But I’m trying to instill certain sense of order and discipline in the ballclub because I think discipline is important in an athlete.”

The Cincinnati Reds banned facial hair in 1902 and under general manager Bon Howsam started strict enforcement in 1967. The ban was lifted by owner Marge Schott in February 1999 at the behest of outfielder Greg Vaughn, who had just been acquired from San Diego.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/