Unique deal will see MLB help produce, Detroit Red Wings games
Unique deal will see MLB help produce, Detroit Red Wings games
The Ilitch family, who owns both the Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers, are looking toward a first-of-its-kind arrangement for the teams next season.
With Main Street Sports Group and MLB apparently broken up for good, teams that broadcast their in-market games on a FanDuel Sports Network channel in 2025 are now searching for greener pastures. Six of the nine teams that played on FanDuel channels last year have already decided to allow MLB to produce and distribute their games, and they’ve been joined by another: the Detroit Tigers. In a more fascinating update, the owners of the Tigers have also tapped MLB to help produce and distribute games from their NHL franchise, the Detroit Red Wings, starting next season as well.
Key Details:
- Home safe: The Detroit Tigers will air in-market games on MLB.TV, and seek out TV distribution agreements as well.
- Crossover madness: The NHL’s Detroit Red Wings will also turn to MLB for aid in production and distribution.
- Still working through it: The details of the Red Wings’ arrangement with MLB are not yet determined.
The Tigers have officially made the choice to allow MLB to produce and distribute their local games, starting this spring. Customers will be able to stream the team without a pay-TV plan on a special tier of MLB.TV. The Tigers are owned by the Ilitch ownership group, which also owns the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. In order to maintain continuity, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment has asked for MLB’s support in broadcasting and distributing Red Wings games in the 2026-27 season. For the remainder of the season, Red Wings games will continue to air on FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, unless Main Street liquidates its assets before the end of the current NHL campaign.
The Sports Business Journal characterizes the partnership as “still under construction.” It’s not likely that the Red Wings will stream on MLB.TV as the Tigers are expected to do this year. Instead, the Ilitch family wants the Red Wings and Tigers to continue airing on the same cable channels and the same direct-to-consumer platform — likely to be a new service. Having MLB seek out distribution deals for the Red Wings and Tigers with cablers like Comcast at the same time can help further the goal of keeping the two teams on the same outlet.
“Given recent uncertainty throughout the regional sports broadcasting industry, we recognize the importance of providing fans with a consistent, year-round outlet to watch Tigers baseball and Red Wings hockey,” Ilitch CEO Ryan Gustafson said. “We have two of the top-rated broadcasts in our respective sports and remain focused on listening to fans about what matters most to them.”
Teams are doing whatever they can to prepare for a future without FanDuel Sports Network channels. Detroit’s MLB and NHL clubs appear to be pursuing a rather novel approach to the problem, with Red Wings games set to be produced and distributed with help from MLB in 2026-27.
MLB.TV
MLB.TV is the official streaming service of Major League Baseball. You can see every out-of-market game live or on-demand and choose home or away TV and radio feeds. The app allows fans to watch up to four games simultaneously on the same screen through its Multi-view feature. MLB.TV can be added to your Sling TV or Prime Video subscription.