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Nationals and Orioles Resolve Longstanding Television Rights Dispute

MLB announces settlement allowing Nationals to pursue new TV deals starting in 2026, ending over a decade of legal battles with MASN.

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WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 28: A view of the Washington Nationals logo on a baseball cap during the game against the New York Yankees at Nationals Park on August 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Major League Baseball has frustrated fans by moving some games to streaming platforms instead of showing them on MASN. Orioles broadcast team of Kevin Brown, left, and Jim Palmer covers the game from the center field roof deck. June 28, 2023. (Kevin Richardson/Baltimore Sun)
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Overview

  • The Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles have settled a yearslong dispute over television rights tied to the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN).
  • Starting in 2026, the Nationals will be free to negotiate their own TV broadcast rights, ending their reliance on MASN, which is majority-owned by the Orioles.
  • The settlement resolves all legal disputes and litigation related to past media rights fees, with MLB confirming the dismissal of all related cases.
  • The MASN arrangement was originally created in 2005 to facilitate the Nationals’ move to Washington, granting the Orioles significant control over the network and its revenues.
  • This resolution removes a major obstacle for the potential sale of the Nationals, which owner Mark Lerner had previously taken off the market due to limited buyer interest.