It may soon be possible to bundle ESPN and local RSNs in the same streaming package, but do not expect those networks to be part of any ESPN service in the near future.
ESPN and Main Street Sports Group — operator of the FanDuel-branded regional sports networks — have discussed bundling their streaming offerings, but have not discussed the possibility of ESPN including the FanDuel RSNs as an add-on to ESPN+ and its upcoming direct-to-subscriber service, John Ourand of Puck reported Thursday.
The arrangement would solely constitute a bundle of the separate streaming services, akin to the existing bundle of Disney+, Max and Hulu.
The Wall Street Journal was first to report the discussions.
The prospect of ESPN offering the RSNs itself is not likely to occur “anytime soon,” per Ourand, as Amazon Prime Video has exclusive rights to offer the FanDuel RSNs as part of its deal with Main Street. Even if that were not the case, Major League Baseball would have to approve any arrangement to that effect, a possibility that may not be likely if ESPN were trying to use the RSNs to get around its looming loss of national MLB rights.
ESPN has long coveted local Major League Baseball rights, but with its national rights deal set to end after this season, that possibility seems to be dimming.
