MLB’s Sunday Nights may soon belong to Apple as ESPN exits after decades

Apple may be on deck to take a bigger swing at live sports. With ESPN officially stepping away from Major League Baseball’s long-standing Sunday night broadcasts, the league is now looking for a new partner to fill one of its most iconic time slots—and Apple could be a leading contender.

The departure of ESPN from its $550 million-a-year MLB deal opens the door for tech companies to reshape how baseball is delivered to fans. Rather than following the traditional model of locking in one media giant for a bundled slate of games and events, MLB appears ready to break up its prime-time offerings. The league is exploring more flexible partnerships, with streaming platforms at the center of the conversation.

Apple, already streaming “Friday Night Baseball” through Apple TV+, has reportedly been named by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred as a possible fit for the Sunday package. Apple’s current deal gives it a foothold in the league's media ecosystem, but landing Sunday nights would place it in the national spotlight—and signal a significant expansion of its ambitions in live sports.

Streaming services have changed the rules. Where traditional broadcasters needed dozens of games to fill schedules and justify ad spend, tech companies prioritize select, high-impact events that drive subscriptions and buzz. Apple doesn’t need to air a full season’s worth of matchups. It just needs the right games in the right window—and Sunday prime time delivers exactly that.

This shift in strategy mirrors the broader trend seen across professional sports. Netflix, Amazon, and others are opting out of long-term bulk rights deals in favor of splashy, event-driven content. Whether it’s a playoff series, a globally marketed fight, or a holiday NFL game, these platforms are betting big on less—so long as it delivers impact.

For MLB, this evolution could unlock more value. Rather than tying Sunday night games to the Home Run Derby or early playoff rounds, the league can approach each with tailored partnerships. One company might stream the playoffs, another the Derby, and Apple the weekly prime-time slot.

The move also positions Apple to continue expanding its ecosystem. Sports on Apple TV+ connects directly with devices, services, and its growing Sports app, delivering not just live games, but real-time stats, postgame recaps, and interactive experiences across screens. Adding a marquee baseball night would reinforce that vertical integration.

While nothing is finalized, the fact that Apple is being seriously considered for what was once ESPN’s flagship MLB broadcast spot shows how far the media landscape has shifted. And it suggests a future where baseball—like so many other things—is increasingly streamed, not aired.

For fans, the next version of Sunday night baseball may not just be on a different channel. It might be on a different kind of platform entirely.