In the letter, Manfred cited ESPN's lack of baseball coverage in its programming outside of the games as one of the reasons why he agreed to terminate the deal that was set to run through the 2028 season. However, CNN Sports' Kyle Feldscher reported that the breakup perhaps wasn't completely mutual.

Commissioner Rob Manfred sent a memo to all 30 clubs informing them MLB is opting out of a broadcast partnership with ESPN following the 2025 season. According to The Athletic, Manfred cited ESPN’s request to lower the rights fees as a key catalyst while arguing the network hasn’t done enough to highlight the sport.

ESPN laid off better baseball writers than most outlets have hired in the decade-plus before its relationship with MLB came to a cold and abrupt halt Thursday.