According to the New York Post, Major League Baseball and NBC Sports have had “serious talks about the network broadcasting games this season.” (Obviously, the number of games this season or if there is a season has yet to be determined.)
However, if there is a season, the New York Post has learned that in addition to MLB having discussions with Apple TV+ to broadcast baseball games, NBC Sports would also be part of a wider broadcast package. “While no deals are yet official, the expectation is that Apple and NBC would both be involved this year. MLB has been looking for a $100 million-$150 million total payout for these games, according to sources. The amount NBC and Apple could pay is not yet known, but Apple is expected to pay the majority of it.”
Even with the possible addition of Apple and NBC Sports, MLB’s main national broadcasts will remain with Fox Sports, ESPN and Turner. As many already know Fox is home to the World Series and weekly regular-season games, ESPN has “Sunday Night Baseball” and, if expanded playoffs are added in a new CBA, ESPN will have the rights to the first round of the postseason. Turner will have weekly Tuesday night regular-season games and will broadcast the playoffs, including a League Championship series.
If broadcasts come to NBC sports, there is a possibility that Bob Costas could return to NBC as one of the commentators on the broadcasts. Costas had previously spent four decades with NBC and is currently MLBN’s lead play-by-player.
NBC last had baseball on its air in 2000.
Will update as more information becomes available.
