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Major League Baseball is undergoing changes as Diamond Sports, the owner of Bally Sports-branded regional sports networks, announces plans to drop all MLB teams from its channels except for the Atlanta Braves. Bally Sports has multiple networks across the U.S. and has reached out to 11 other teams to amend their contracts and determine the future of MLB on the networks. The decision was made public during a U.S. bankruptcy hearing where Diamond Sports provided an update on their reorganization plan.

The regional sports networks have been a profitable business model for teams and leagues for years, but factors like cord-cutting and high debt have led to challenges for Diamond Sports. Since Sinclair acquired the business from Disney in 2019, Diamond has faced financial struggles, ultimately leading to a bankruptcy filing in March 2023. As a result, Diamond has been renegotiating rights payments and rejecting contracts, causing some teams to find new broadcasting homes.

Despite these challenges, Diamond Sports is working towards exiting bankruptcy protection and has assured the NBA and NHL that they will honor their contracts through the end of the season. The company is in discussions with MLB teams regarding future plans and remains optimistic about its ability to provide economic and fan-friendly offerings through its linear and digital platforms. Diamond has faced disagreements with MLB in the past, particularly regarding streaming rights, leading some teams to find alternative broadcasting options outside of Bally Sports networks.

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