The new agreement will guarantee a 30-plus year continuous relationship between ESPN and MLB
ESPN and Major League Baseball have reached an eight-year, multiplatform rights extension which will significantly enhance ESPNs TV, digital, radio and International MLB rights. The agreement effective 2014 through 2021 was announced by MLB Commissioner Allan H. Selig and ESPN President John Skipper.The agreement is highlighted by the addition of an annual Wild Card playoff game, the rights to hundreds of additional hours of MLB studio programming, 10 additional regular-season games, increased footage and highlights rights across platforms, increased ability to co-exist in local team markets and added content across digital platforms and WatchESPN. In addition, rights across ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio, and ESPN International.On behalf of Major League Baseball, I am thrilled that we will continue our long-standing relationship with ESPN far into the future. The level of ESPNs commitment to baseball both financially and through its expanded content is a testament to the strength of our game and its unprecedented popularity among our fans. Through its various networks and other media platforms, ESPN offers baseball fans more avenues to experience the game than ever before, and were thankful for their continued support, said MLB Commissioner, Allan H. SeligWere thrilled to renew our long-standing agreement with Major League Baseball into the next decade. Its a great property. The enormous scope of what we acquired will provide fans with more live baseball and more ways to access baseball content than ever before, expressed John Skipper, president of ESPN.The new agreement will guarantee a 30-plus year continuous relationship between ESPN and MLB – dating back to 1990 which is one of the longest standing relationships between a network and a league.
