Atlanta Braves Terminate RSN Contract Amid Historic Regional Sports Network Collapse, Leaving 2026 Broadcast Future Uncertain

The long-simmering instability surrounding regional sports networks (RSNs) has officially crossed into historic crisis territory. As of Saturday, January 10, 2026, the Atlanta Braves have formally terminated their television broadcast agreement with Main Street Sports Group, the parent company of FanDuel Sports Network. The move places the Braves among nine Major League Baseball teams that have simultaneously exited RSN contracts, creating unprecedented uncertainty around local TV rights for the 2026 season.

First reported by The Athletic and later confirmed by multiple team and league sources, the decision ends a decades-long relationship between the Braves and networks previously known as Bally Sports South and Fox Sports South. More importantly, it represents another major fracture in a business model that once served as the financial backbone of local sports broadcasting.

From “Unstable” to “Systemic Collapse”

For years, the RSN model showed signs of stress. Cord-cutting eroded subscriber bases. Advertising revenue softened. Debt loads ballooned. What once appeared to be a slow decline has now accelerated into a full-scale industry reckoning.

The Braves’ exit signals more than a contractual dispute—it marks a tipping point. When one of baseball’s most stable, consistently profitable franchises decides to walk away from guaranteed television revenue, it underscores how untenable the current RSN structure has become.

Why the Braves Walked Away: Financial Instability and Broken Trust

Industry insiders were not surprised by the Braves’ decision. Rather, it was viewed as the inevitable outcome of a deteriorating relationship between MLB and Main Street Sports Group.

The St. Louis Domino Effect

The crisis reached its breaking point in December, when Main Street failed to make a scheduled rights payment to the St. Louis Cardinals. That missed payment sent shockwaves through MLB ownership circles, raising immediate concerns about Main Street’s liquidity and long-term viability.

For teams like the Braves, the failure represented a clear warning sign: if one club could miss a payment, others could follow.

Protecting Against Another Bankruptcy

Main Street Sports Group has already navigated one bankruptcy restructuring. By terminating their contract now, the Braves effectively shield themselves from being trapped in a potential second bankruptcy filing—a scenario that could have frozen payments and restricted future negotiations.

Exiting early gives Atlanta flexibility. It allows the organization to pursue alternative broadcast partners or league-run solutions before Spring Training, rather than reacting midseason in crisis mode.

The Digital Rights Breaking Point

Perhaps the most contentious issue involved digital streaming rights. Reports indicate that Main Street sought to secure long-term digital rights from teams as a condition for continuing RSN operations. For MLB clubs increasingly focused on direct-to-consumer streaming, that demand was a nonstarter.

Team executives reportedly rejected the proposal “whole-heartedly,” viewing it as a threat to the league’s long-term media strategy rather than a solution to short-term financial stress.

The Nine-Team RSN Exodus

The Braves are far from alone. In total, nine MLB franchises have terminated or exited RSN agreements in recent weeks:

• Atlanta Braves

• St. Louis Cardinals

• Tampa Bay Rays

• Cincinnati Reds

• Detroit Tigers

• Kansas City Royals

• Los Angeles Angels

• Miami Marlins

• Milwaukee Brewers

Never before have so many teams simultaneously abandoned the RSN model. The collective action suggests a coordinated acknowledgment across the league: the old system no longer works.

Where Will Braves Games Air in 2026?

For fans, the most pressing question is also the simplest: Where can we watch the Braves in 2026?

While silence from broadcasters has fueled anxiety, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred addressed concerns directly earlier this week.

“No matter what happens,” Manfred said, “fans are going to have the games.”

How that promise materializes remains to be seen, but several realistic pathways have emerged.

Option 1: MLB Media Takes Control

The most widely discussed scenario involves MLB Media producing and distributing games directly through MLB.tv. This approach has already been tested with the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024 and 2025.

Under this model:

• Games are streamed directly to consumers

• Local blackouts are eliminated

• Fans pay a monthly or seasonal fee

• MLB controls production, distribution, and advertising

For Braves fans, this could mean the first blackout-free local streaming option in franchise history.

Option 2: Expanded Over-the-Air Coverage via Peachtree TV

Another possibility is an expanded partnership with Gray Media’s Peachtree TV, which already airs select Braves games in the Atlanta market. Increasing over-the-air broadcasts would:

• Reach cord-cutters

• Provide free access to some games

• Preserve local advertising opportunities

While unlikely to cover a full season alone, Peachtree TV could serve as a key component of a hybrid solution.

Option 3: A Renegotiated Deal with FanDuel Sports Network

Though technically possible, a return to FanDuel under a significantly restructured, lower-cost deal is viewed as a last resort. Trust between teams and Main Street has eroded, and many clubs appear eager to move forward rather than backward.

Option 4: A New Streaming Partner Emerges

Industry rumors suggest platforms such as Fubo or DAZN may pursue rights for the nine newly “orphaned” teams. While no formal bids have been announced, the consolidation of rights could create an attractive package for a major streaming entrant.

Impact on the Braves’ 2026 Season and Payroll

Despite the broadcast turmoil, the Braves have shown no signs of retreating on the baseball side. This winter, Atlanta has already committed over $40 million in new salary, including:

• The re-signing of Ha-Seong Kim

• The additions of Robert Suarez and Raisel Iglesias

Those moves signal confidence and continuity, not austerity.

However, the absence of guaranteed RSN revenue remains significant. Historically, local television deals account for more than 20% of team income. If a new broadcast agreement is not finalized by midseason, it could impact the front office’s willingness to make a high-dollar trade-deadline acquisition.

In short, the Braves are stable—but flexibility may depend on how quickly the media picture resolves.

The Bigger Picture: Is the RSN Model Dead?

The Braves’ decision adds momentum to a growing belief that the RSN model, as constructed, is no longer sustainable. Rising cable costs, shrinking subscriber bases, and inflexible long-term contracts have clashed with modern viewing habits.

For decades, RSNs delivered predictable revenue for teams. Today, they increasingly represent risk.

A Silver Lining for Fans: The End of Blackouts?

Ironically, the collapse of RSNs may ultimately benefit viewers. If MLB assumes distribution responsibilities, fans could finally:

• Watch local games without cable

• Stream directly through official apps

• Avoid regional blackouts entirely

For Braves fans, that would represent a historic shift in accessibility—one that aligns with how audiences consume sports in 2026.

Final Verdict: Uncertainty Now, Opportunity Ahead

The Braves’ departure from FanDuel Sports Network marks the end of an era—but not the end of Braves baseball on television. While short-term uncertainty remains, the long-term outlook may be brighter for fans, teams, and the league as a whole.

If MLB succeeds in reshaping local broadcasts around direct-to-consumer streaming, the Braves could emerge not as victims of the RSN collapse, but as early beneficiaries of its replacement.

The blackout era may finally be coming to an end—and that, for viewers, could be the most important development of all.