Part 2/8:
As of the end of last week, ESPN has decided to terminate the long-term contract that has seen the network broadcast MLB games since 1990. While the current agreement will remain in place through the end of the 2025 season, extensions for the years 2026 to 2028 will not be realized. The decision stems from ESPN's ongoing efforts to renegotiate the terms of their contract—currently valued at $550 million annually—citing competitive concerns from other networks such as Apple and Roku, who have recently entered the fray with much lower deals.