The conclusion of the 2025 baseball season will also mark the end of ESPN and Major League Baseball’s decades-long partnership. It was announced Thursday at the start of spring training, reportedly as a mutual decision.

"ESPN's demand to reduce rights fees is simply unacceptable. As a result, we have mutually agreed to terminate our agreement."

ESPN had been asking to lower the fees it pays to MLB for the next portion of its current contract. The deal would remain in place for 2025.