ESPN Formally Announces Eight-Year Deal For MLB Rights

ESPN today formally announced an eight-year, $5.6B deal to extend its MLB rights through ’21. The deal, which goes into effect in ’14, includes TV, digital, int'l and radio rights. ESPN President John Skipper said, “We did one deal across everything, which was our preference.” The net will increase its Sunday night games from five to six per season and increase the number of appearances that any one team can have on Sunday night. Skipper said, “We’ve made a commitment to show every team.” MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said, “This is really a very historic day for MLB in many ways, and a very happy one. We look forward to many more years now of partnership with ESPN. This deal underscores how popular the sport is today.”