"We continue to focus on finding new ways to bring our games in 2026 and beyond to our fans and we've determined joining with Major League Baseball is the best path, Beginning in 2026 and moving forward, Major League Baseball will provide opportunities to bring new features and benefits to viewers of Mariners baseball. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and excellence demonstrated by the Root Sports staff over the (nearly) four decades they have televised our games."
"Regional sports networks (RSNs) have become an increasingly important part of baseball discussions in recent years. For a time, RSN deals were a reliable source of millions of dollars for teams. But cord cutting has led to a collapse of the RSN model, though not for all teams. Broadly speaking, the bigger teams like the Yankees and Dodgers are still in fine shape. Most large market clubs own their RSNs, in whole or in part, and still do quite well."
"The Mariners tried to go down this road. In the 2023-2024 offseason, they took 100% control of Root Sports. They had previously owned 71% of the company but assumed the remaining 29% from Warner Bros. Discovery. The channel also carried the broadcasts of the NHL's Seattle Kraken and the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. They also carried the NBA's Utah Jazz in some markets and some college basketball games involving schools in the Pacific Northwest."
The Seattle Mariners plan to shutter Root Sports at the end of 2025 and transition broadcast responsibilities to Major League Baseball in 2026. The team stated that joining MLB will bring new features and benefits to viewers and expressed gratitude for Root Sports staff. Dozens of Root employees were informed of layoffs effective November 3, while the on-air broadcast team is expected to remain largely unchanged. Regional sports networks have declined due to cord-cutting, though large-market teams with owned RSNs remain financially stable. The Mariners had taken full control of Root Sports during the 2023–2024 offseason.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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