Overview

While the build-up to the 2022 Major League Baseball (MLB) season was dominated by the second-longest lockout in league history, this year has been all about a potential blackout of live coverage of some of its teams. 

Just weeks before the 2023 season was due to start, Diamond Sports Group, the Sinclair subsidiary whose Bally Sports-branded regional sports networks (RSNs) hold local broadcast rights for 14 MLB teams, confirmed it had filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in an announcement that came not long after Warner Bros Discovery was reported to be looking to exit the RSN business.

At a time when the league should have been full steam ahead in its preparations for its new season, it was instead scrambling for contingency plans to ensure fans in certain markets can watch their team’s games.

Still, there are several firsts to look out for during the 162-game 2023 regular season, which will see every franchise play each other for the first time in modern MLB history. Sponsor logos are now appearing on team jerseys, with the Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros and Cincinnati Reds among those to have taken advantage of the league’s decision to let clubs sell the inventory from 2023 onwards.

Income