MLB – ESPN breakup after 35 years surfaces appalling Stephen A. Smith video: “Baseball community shut the hell up!”
Commissioner Rob Manfred decides to end the longstanding relationship with ESPN following low coverage on MLB.
Follow Us
Stephen A. Smith [Image Credit: BlackPast]
An era truly came to an end as MLB and ESPN ended their 35 years of relationship on Thursday. Commissioner Rob Manfred sent out memo to all 30 MLB team owners about his decision and explained the reason why.
In the memo, Manfred noted that he was not satisfied with the amount of coverage MLB was getting on ESPN platforms other than live games. Furthermore, it was ESPN who first called out to end the contract forcing the baseball league to follow suite.
Social media was shocked to hear the news with controversies on this topic going wild. Even Stephen A. Smith’s video resurfaced, recalling his words from 2023.
During a call with caller Fuzzy back in 2023, Smith got into a heated argument over MLB on ESPN’s coverage. Fuzzy told that the baseball world wants ESPN to bring back Baseball Tonight show and questioned Smith about his baseball knowledge saying, “we’re kind of on the fence about you when it comes to your baseball knowledge.”
Smith who erupted in rage backed himself noting how he’s busy watching other sports and not getting enough time to focus on baseball. He said he watches New York Yankees games as it’s his hometown team but claimed that “people don’t care rating-wise” when watching baseball.
Baseball community shut the hell up! I know baseball, the sport. What happens is, because I’m so busy with other sports watching it, I don’t get to watch as much baseball.
Stephen A. Smith as per Sam Neumann of Awful Announcing.com.
Stephen A Smith, executive producer of First Take and golden boy of ESPN, once told the entire baseball community to shut the hell up
— Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) February 21, 2025
Today, MLB ended it’s TV partnership with ESPN because they never talked baseball
Happy? @stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/lTfhP8QEbZ
Following the recent MLB-ESPN breakup, caller Fuzzy reposted Stephen A. Smith’s video questioning if he’s happy now. “MLB ended it’s TV partnership with ESPN because they never talked baseball,” he said.
Rob Manfred issues statement following MLB-ESPN breakup
MLB and ESPN’s relationship dated back to 1990 which finally came to an end on Thursday 2025. The two sides pulled the plug early even though they had until March 1 to opt out of their final 3-year deal running through 2028.
As per reports, ESPN was due $550 million each of the next 3-years which they deemed as not so important. The broadcasting giant thought it was a way above market value to invest in MLB so much.
However, Rob Manfred was not happy to accept any deal lower than $550 million which ultimately severed their bond.
We do not think it’s beneficial for us to accept a smaller deal to remain on a shrinking platform…Given that MLB provides strong viewership, value demographics, and the exclusive right to cover unique events like the Home Run Derby, ESPN’s demand to reduce rights fees is simply unacceptable.
Rob Manfred as per reporter Phil Sanchez on X.
Say what you want about Rob Manfred but he is 100% right for pulling MLB from ESPN. The world wide leader in sports made the editorial decision to minimize its coverage of baseball, and focus more on other sports —that statistically speaking — are much less popular. Every… pic.twitter.com/Pjcx51E9iX
— Phil Sanchez (@PhilSanchezTV) February 21, 2025
Manfred said that they are already in conversations with several other broadcasting houses and is expecting a call from two or more withing the next few weeks. Among the interested parties – Amazon, Netflix, Paramount, and NBC Universal are deemed potential candidates.
Stay Updated!
Kaushani Chatterjee
(2194 Articles Published)