Major League Baseball is working toward a deal that would move Padres games to ESPN for three seasons beginning in 2026, a league source confirmed for the Union-Tribune.

The Athletic first reported on negotiations that would shift the full rights that MLB has for five teams— the Padres, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies — to ESPN.

Padres fans can currently watch games on the MLB app and various cable providers. The current deal was struck in May 2023, when Bally Sports San Diego’s parent company stopped making payments on the 20-year, $1.2 billion contract. The move essentially wiped away $60 million in annual revenue.

MLB backstopped the Padres at 80% of its Bally contract in 2023, and a settlement reached after Diamond Sports Group default

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