Yeah but the question is how will fans get the games. Will MLB just broadcast on those soon to be former Ballys/FanDuel channels? Will they force people to go streaming route?
How will MLB do the revenue sharing if they take over the broadcasts for the Braves? How much money will it actually reel in for the Braves?
That’s what remains to be seen and that’s why I’ve been monitoring this so closely. I see four possible scenarios:
Staying with Main Street: They are trying to get the Braves and the other eight teams to stay with them with a three year contract. But it’s not a great deal and it reeks of them begging and it hinges on them getting a buyer by the end of the month. I think this is the least likely scenario
Form Own Network: Of the nine teams that FanDuel’s contracts were opted of, the Braves would be in the best position to do it. A large geographical footprint and one of the most popular teams in MLB. Liberty Media could be a help in this. The problem is timing. We’re about six weeks from spring training games starting and less than two months from Opening Day. While more plausible than sticking with MSSG, the timing makes it unlikely.
Distribution through Gray Media: The Braves had like 10 or 15 games distributed through the southeast by Gray Media stations. So the potential stations are there. Question is can they handle 130-140 games. I think they could, so I give this a medium chance.
MLB produces and shows on their platforms: I think ultimately, this is the way it goes. MLB wants to do this for all teams eventually. The lack of time to prepare makes this a higher chance. While there will be a cost, the good news is if it goes this way, blackouts will be lifted.
There are a lot of unanswered questions. Had we known this back in August or September, then more time to prepare for this. Of the nine teams, the Braves I feel are in the best position. With the possible exception of the Cardinals, the other teams will all but certainly have MLB do their games. The revenue questions will have to be answered when when find out how the Atlanta Braves will be seen this season.