MLB Lockout Could Trigger TV Deal Extensions at 60 Lost Games
According to The Athletic, if a lockout wipes out 60 or more MLB games in 2027, most national TV deals would extend by a year. Owners appear ready to lock out players in early December when the current labor deal expires. The 60-game threshold gives both sides leverage in negotiations.
The 60-game threshold functions as a contractual tripwire in MLB's national broadcast agreements. If the 2027 season loses that many contests, deals with FOX Sports and TNT Sports automatically extend through 2029, while those partners still owe over $2 billion for the truncated year. Local regional sports networks operate differently, with most promising 125 to 145 games, meaning rebates would trigger far earlier.
The calendar adds another layer. With opening day scheduled for March 24, the 60-game mark would likely be reached in June. Media consultant Patrick Crakes noted remedies could be folded into future negotiations, while Playfly's Craig Sloan emphasized the shared incentive to avoid delaying a media rights boom, especially after the NBA secured roughly $7 billion annually.
This story could affect millions of baseball fans who rely on national broadcasts, as a prolonged lockout would disrupt the 2027 season and potentially alter how games are delivered. Broadcast partners and local networks face financial exposure, while players and owners weigh short-term losses against long-term media windfalls. Smaller-market clubs, already hurt by declining RSN revenue, may feel pressure to settle quickly, whereas larger markets could tolerate a longer stoppage. The outcome may reshape labor dynamics across professional sports.