Netflix contemplates acquiring MLB Home Run Derby rights following ESPN's premature departure from extended media contract, according to reports.

Streaming giant Netflix is exploring a potential deal with Major League Baseball (MLB), which could see the tech company gaining the rights to the annual Home Run Derby.

The Home Run Derby, a fan-favourite event that takes place every summer leading up to the MLB All-Star Game, has been a staple of ESPN's sports programming for several years. However, recent developments suggest that the rights to the event could be up for grabs.

ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, announced its intentions to exit its contract with MLB due to program cost-cutting measures. The seven-year agreement, which required ESPN to pay the league an estimated $550 million per year for the rights to 30 games in the regular season, seems to be too costly for the media giant in the current economic climate.

While ESPN might not be ready to end its relationship with MLB entirely, it could scale back its offerings, potentially making room for other streaming services like Netflix. Sources familiar with the talks also told Bloomberg that Netflix is potentially interested in carrying other baseball programming in addition to the derby.

Netflix's foray into sports events is not new. The streaming service offers sports events with the NFL and WWE, and is involved with esports events such as the IEM Cologne (Counter-Strike) organized by ESL. If Netflix secures the Home Run Derby rights, it would expand their live sports offerings, which currently include NFL games on Christmas Day and WWE's Monday Night Raw.

The MLB recently announced the 2027 Midsummer Classic will be played at Chicago's Wrigley Field, and the 2026 Midsummer Classic will be held at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park. If Netflix secures the Home Run Derby rights, it would add these prestigious events to its sports lineup.

It's important to note that Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for more information regarding their potential involvement with MLB's Home Run Derby.

Meanwhile, Apple TV+ already has an arrangement with MLB, offering "Friday Night Baseball" to subscribers. The potential deal with Netflix could mark a significant shift in the streaming landscape, as more sports events become available on streaming platforms.

Last year, Netflix made headlines with the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match, which faced some technical issues but still drew strong viewership. If the streaming service secures the Home Run Derby rights, it could attract a similar audience, further expanding its reach in the sports arena.

The WWE and ESPN recently announced that the wrestling promoter's premium live events, such as WrestleMania and SummerSlam, will become available on ESPN's standalone streaming platform starting in 2026. This move suggests a growing trend of sports events moving to streaming platforms, and Netflix's potential deal with MLB could be a significant step in this direction.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.