Bally Sports, the regional sports network (RSN) responsible for broadcasting matches for sports teams in all major sports across the country; announced in bankruptcy last week that it plans to cut broadcasts for all MLB teams after the 2024 season. These teams will be responsible for finding new teams to broadcast in 2025 and beyond.
Diamond Sports Group is the parent company of Bally Sports. Bally Sports Midwest has been the network for Cardinals games since Fox Sports Midwest rebranded in 2021. In the past, Fox Sports Midwest was the primary broadcaster for the Cardinals.
There are plenty of other major networks that could cover games, and Major League Baseball took over The Padres and Diamondbacks broadcast networks for the second half of the 2023 season, and it's possible this year that more teams could lose Bally Sports coverage through the 2024 season. NBC Sports owns broadcast rights for some teams, YES Network broadcasts of the Yankees and Spectrum Sports would be an option. The Cardinals could also establish an entire broadcast network as a franchise.
Bill DeWitt and John Mozeliak were adamant that RSN's bankruptcy is not a factor in going through this offseason, and the Cardinals are sure to find plenty of other willing networks given the team's large following both locally and in neighboring states. The payroll of St. Louis will reach $200 million this year, and that total should not be affected by the situation at Diamond Sports.
Stay tuned to Redbird Rants for more Cardinals broadcast information over the next twelve months. While St. Louis games will be broadcast live and via streaming services on Bally Sports Midwest for the 2024 season, future seasons are in jeopardy.
