MLB to Take Over Seattle Mariners Broadcasts as Root Sports Ends 37-Year Run in 2026

The Seattle Mariners will end their nearly four-decade partnership with Root Sports, transitioning their game broadcasts to Major League Baseball's in-house media model starting in the 2026 season. This shift follows the Mariners' full acquisition of Root Sports in 2023 and aligns with broader trends of regional sports networks struggling amid cord-cutting and changing media consumption habits. MLB's takeover aims to offer fans new features and benefits, with streaming moving to an MLB.TV in-market plan, although broadcast personnel are expected to remain consistent. Root Sports Northwest, which also carried games for other regional teams, will cease operations by the end of 2025, resulting in layoffs but ensuring continuity for Mariners broadcasts. This move reflects MLB's growing role in directly managing team broadcasts, as seen with other teams like the Diamondbacks, Padres, and Guardians. The Mariners' management emphasized gratitude for Root Sports' longstanding service while expressing optimism about the future fan experience under MLB's model.