The Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings have officially announced their departure from FanDuel Sports Network and its parent company, Main Street Sports Group.
In a groundbreaking agreement between Major League Baseball and Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, the Tigers will begin receiving broadcast support starting with the 2026 MLB season, while the Red Wings will follow for the 2026–27 NHL season. The partnership will introduce a new viewing platform designed to give fans across the teams’ home television regions—including the entire state of Michigan—flexible access to games and related content whenever and wherever they choose.
The arrangement will feature traditional cable and satellite distribution alongside direct-to-consumer streaming options, with additional details to be shared at a later date.
In a statement released by the organization, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment President and CEO Ryan Gustafson emphasized the importance of stability amid ongoing uncertainty in the regional sports broadcasting landscape. He noted that the company’s priority is ensuring fans have reliable, year-round access to Tigers and Red Wings games, supported by high-quality broadcasts that are both informative and engaging. Gustafson added that expanding market availability and delivering a dependable streaming experience were key points of feedback from fans, making this partnership a strong step forward.
The release also confirmed that, aside from games selected for national broadcasts, Tigers and Red Wings matchups will be widely available throughout the Detroit market via cable, satellite, or streaming subscriptions.
As part of the deal, MLB will assume responsibility for producing and distributing Tigers broadcasts, overseeing production, securing distribution agreements, and managing the direct-to-consumer streaming service, among other duties.
Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson will continue as play-by-play announcers for the Tigers, with Andy Dirks and Dan Petry remaining as analysts.
After the 2025–26 NHL season, the Red Wings will join the partnership, with Ilitch Sports + Entertainment taking over broadcast production and MLB providing support in production processes. Red Wings games on FanDuel Sports Network are expected to air through the end of this season, with additional details for the 2026–27 season to be announced later.
Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond are expected to remain the primary voices for Red Wings broadcasts, with further planning occurring after the season concludes.
Tom Friend of Sports Business Journal first reported last Monday that the Tigers are among nine teams leaving Main Street Sports. According to the report, the Tigers are expected to transition to MLB Media and eventually finalize a deal with a local distributor for home-market games.
FanDuel Sports Network also broadcasts Detroit Pistons games, and SBJ noted that NBA teams remain in a “business-as-usual holding pattern.”
In a statement to SBJ, Main Street said: “FanDuel Sports Network continues to broadcast NBA and NHL games, and we appreciate the leagues’ engagement in ongoing discussions regarding our future plans. We value the relationships we have built with our MLB partners and fans over many years and wish them the best.”
No further updates have been reported since then. Last month, the Tigers, along with eight other teams, officially ended their agreements with FanDuel Sports Network.
Formerly known as Diamond Sports Group, the company was renamed Main Street Sports Group after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2025, with FanDuel acquiring the naming rights.
“Regardless of whether it’s Main Street, a third party, or MLB Media, fans are going to have access to the games,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said last month.
According to Sports Business Journal, there is also a chance that MLB Media could produce Red Wings games, given that both the Red Wings and Tigers are owned by Ilitch Sports & Entertainment.
What might a move to MLB Media look like for the Tigers? Last week, the St. Louis Cardinals announced a similar transition. Cardinals fans can subscribe to Cardinals.TV for $99.99 for the full season or $19.99 per month, with additional details about cable and satellite options to be released in the future.
Yes — here’s a verified list of other MLB teams whose local game broadcasts have been produced (or are being produced) by Major League Baseball’s media arm (MLB Local Media / MLB Media) as part of the shift away from traditional regional sports networks:
Teams with broadcasts produced by MLB Media include:
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Cleveland Guardians
- San Diego Padres
- Colorado Rockies
- Minnesota Twins
- Seattle Mariners
- Washington Nationals
- Plus additional teams joining in 2026: Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays (making MLB Media the producer of their local broadcasts)
This brings the total of MLB-controlled local broadcasts to a growing number as regional sports network deals collapse or expire.
