In a stunning blow to the regional sports broadcasting landscape, FanDuel Sports Network, the beleaguered operator of local game telecasts for numerous MLB, NBA, and NHL teams, is set to cease operations this spring. The network’s parent company, Main Street Sports Group, has failed to secure a buyer or additional financing, leading to an inevitable wind-down after fulfilling its remaining obligations through the end of the NBA and NHL regular seasons in mid-April. This marks the end of an era for the traditional regional sports network (RSN) model, which has been plagued by cord-cutting, declining viewership, and unsustainable financial structures, according to Puck News.
The announcement comes on the heels of a tumultuous period for Main Street Sports, which emerged from bankruptcy proceedings in March 2025 only to face ongoing cash shortages. The company, which rebranded its networks from Bally Sports to FanDuel Sports Network in a high-profile partnership with the sports betting giant, holds local broadcasting rights for 29 professional teams across three major leagues. However, recent missed rights-fee payments to teams like the St. Louis Cardinals in December 2025 triggered a mass exodus, particularly from MLB clubs.
This is the part of it I absolutely despiseFor NBA and NHL teams, the situation is more precarious but temporarily stable. Main Street has committed to broadcasting games for its 13 NBA and seven NHL affiliates through the conclusion of their regular seasons in mid-April. Reports indicate that potential sales, including to streaming giant DAZN, fell through, exacerbating the crisis.
The roots of this collapse trace back to the 2019 Disney-21st Century Fox merger, which spun off the RSNs into what became Main Street Sports as an “unloved” asset burdened with heavy debt. Over the years, cord-cutting has eroded subscriber bases by up to 40% in some markets, while rights fees negotiated during boom times proved unsustainable amid shifting viewer habits toward streaming and national packages. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated these trends, leading to bankruptcy filings and restructurings that ultimately failed to stabilize the business.
The shutdown’s impacts are multifaceted. For fans, it means a scramble to find new ways to watch local games. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has assured that the league is prepared to step in, emphasizing direct-to-consumer streaming options to broaden accessibility. Teams like the Royals and Cardinals have already outlined plans for “Royals TV” and MLB-produced broadcasts available on cable, satellite, and streaming platforms. This shift could democratize access, reducing blackouts and cable dependencies, but it also raises concerns about revenue losses for teams reliant on RSN deals.
Employees face uncertainty, with potential layoffs looming as operations wind down. While specific figures aren’t public, the network’s 15 owned-and-operated stations employ hundreds in production, on-air talent, and support roles. The broader industry ripple could affect sports media jobs nationwide as leagues centralize control.
https://cordcuttersnews.com/another-cab ... ng-down-2/Looking ahead, this debacle signals a paradigm shift in sports broadcasting. Leagues are increasingly taking reins, with MLB now overseeing local telecasts for nearly half its teams. The NBA and NHL may follow, exploring league apps or partnerships with streamers like Amazon or Apple. As one industry source noted, “The RSN model is dead; the future is league-controlled and digital-first.”
Say hello to paying a monthly fee for yet another streaming service that the leagues will control that will result in price increases every single year, having to find out what service it is on that night, and more and more advertisement.
It was fun while it lasted boys.