The RSN Collapse Is Quietly Reshaping the MLB Offseason
A seismic shift in baseball’s financial landscape is playing out this offseason, as the collapse of the FanDuel Sports Network (FDSN) regional sports networks has forced nine MLB teams into fiscal restraint, directly impacting contract negotiations and roster building.
The crisis stems from Main Street Sports, operator of the FDSN RSNs, missing rights payments, leading all nine affiliated MLB teams—the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays—to terminate their broadcast contracts. With media rights historically accounting for roughly 25% of club revenue, the sudden uncertainty has created a massive hole in budgets just weeks before spring training.
The most glaring example is the Detroit Tigers’ arbitration stalemate with two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. The ace requested $32 million for his final year before free agency, but the Tigers countered with only $19 million—a significant raise from his $10 million 2025 salary but far below market value for the game’s top pitcher. This gap underscores the financial pressure facing the "Main Street Nine."
Offseason Spending Reflects the Squeeze
A review of the group’s offseason activity reveals stark austerity:
Atlanta Braves: The exception, leveraging mixed-use revenue from their Truist Park ecosystem to sign multiple veterans, including Robert Suárez (3 yrs, $45M) and Ha-seong Kim (1 yr, $20M).
Cincinnati Reds: Limited to re-signing reliever Emilio Pagán (2 yrs, $20M) after missing on Kyle Schwarber.
Detroit Tigers: Modest bullpen additions (Kenley Jansen, Kyle Finnegan) totaling $37M, while letting several contracts expire.
Kansas City Royals: Zero external MLB free agents signed; only added salary via trade.
Los Angeles Angels: Traded Taylor Ward to cut cost, signed relievers on short-term, low-cost deals.
Miami Marlins: Only notable signing: closer Pete Fairbanks ($13M).
Milwaukee Brewers: Minimal activity beyond re-signing Brandon Woodruff via qualifying offer.
St. Louis Cardinals: In full salary-dump mode, trading Nolan Arenado (while paying $31M of his contract) and other veterans.
Tampa Bay Rays: Typical cost-conscious reshuffling, with no major commitments.
The widespread spending freeze highlights how RSN instability is exacerbating the competitive imbalance between large- and small-market clubs. With a quarter of their revenue in flux, these teams are operating with heightened caution, making the market for star players like Skubal colder and threatening the overall competitiveness of the league as Opening Day approaches.
