The Atlanta Braves made headlines this week with the news that the team has left Main Street Sports Group and will be searching for a new TV partner. Where exactly the franchise is going to land for viewers is unclear, as several teams are walking away from FanDuel TV, with the RSN missing payments and allowing them to negotiate new deals. Although most teams have opted to go with the MLB's streaming service and allow the league to dictate their broadcasts, the Braves have yet to indicate a clear direction.
Atlanta issued a statement on all its social media channels, letting fans know that this was "launching a new era in Braves broadcasting." This, along with the lack of urgency to finalize a deal with Major League Baseball, would seemingly suggest the franchise is looking to launch its own streaming option.
Regardless of the answer, it is a concerning development that fans must monitor when considering future spending.
Braves' Broadcasting Uncertainty Could Impact Future Spending
Looking at the current payroll, there is no denying the Braves are pushing their chips to the center of the table and attempting to make another World Series run. However, the biggest concern is that the Braves are a publicly owned team, setting the franchise up to be far more sensitive to fluctuations in revenue.
Not having a clear contract and plan in place for the team's streaming future is a clear red flag that could cause future waves.
Future spending is incredibly important as Ronald Acuña Jr. will soon be due for an extension, and Atlanta's young pitching staff is only going to grow more expensive. The Braves don't have the luxury of having one owner with other focuses and revenues to help support any missteps the franchise might make.
The bright side of this for Braves fans is the likelihood that it results in increased accessibility, as local blackout and streaming hurdles make FanDuel TV a less-than-stellar viewing experience in Atlanta. This is a chance to right the ship and make the games easier to find.
Still, this doesn't overshadow the long-term concerns, making it paramount that the Braves make the right decision as we close in on spring training and fans will begin to question where to access their team. Atlanta is quickly running out of time to make a decision, one that will impact future spending, whether the franchise wants to admit it or not.