In a dramatic shakeup to local baseball broadcasts ahead of the 2026 season, nine Major League Baseball clubs — including the Kansas City Royals — have terminated their television contracts with the FanDuel Sports Network, citing financial instability and missed payments by the network’s parent company.
The move comes after Main Street Sports Group — the operator behind the FanDuel regional sports networks — failed to make scheduled payments and faces renewed financial trouble following its emergence from bankruptcy in 2025.
“We continue to evaluate all options available to maximize revenue for our clubs and ensure quality broadcasts for our fans,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, emphasizing that the league is prepared to step in and produce the telecasts if needed. “No matter what happens — whether it’s Main Street, a third party, or MLB Media — fans are going to have the games.”
Teams That Ended Their FanDuel Deals
The nine teams that opted out of their agreements with FanDuel Sports Network are:
- Atlanta Braves
- Cincinnati Reds
- Detroit Tigers
- Kansas City Royals
- Los Angeles Angels
- Miami Marlins
- Milwaukee Brewers
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Tampa Bay Rays
What This Means for the Royals and Fans
For the Royals, the decision — while aimed at protecting future broadcast revenue — comes with uncertainty for the upcoming season. The Royals and other clubs are now exploring alternatives, including potential new local broadcast partners or having MLB produce and distribute games through its own media outlets.
Local coverage for Royals games has been a key part of the team’s connection with fans in Kansas City and across the Midwest. With the FanDuel Sports Kansas City channel now out of the picture for 2026, the organization and MLB are under pressure to ensure a smooth transition well before Opening Day.
Wider Implications for MLB Broadcast Landscape
The mass termination reflects broader challenges in the regional sports network (RSN) model, which has struggled in recent years amid cord-cutting, rising costs, and shifting viewership habits. MLB has already taken over local broadcast rights for several teams in recent seasons, including the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, and others, under its MLB Local Media banner.
League officials and club executives are weighing whether a more centralized broadcast approach — potentially combining national streaming with local rights under MLB oversight — could offer greater stability and revenue predictability.
Fans and the Road Ahead
While the business side of baseball broadcasts continues to evolve, Manfred repeatedly reassured fans that access to live games will remain uninterrupted regardless of deals with traditional RSNs. With spring training less than three months away, teams and the league are under a tight timeline to finalize broadcast plans that keep every franchise — including the Royals — clearly visible to television and streaming audiences in 2026
