Seattle Mariners Make Announcement After 31 Years of Partnership

With the fanbase growing, the team announced a major change as the regular season wraps up. The Mariners are exiting the regional sports network business and shutting down ROOT Sports, which will air its final live broadcast Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After operating under a hybrid partnership this season, the club has agreed to join MLB’s centralized broadcasting umbrella beginning in 2026.

The team shared the news on X, “We continue to focus on finding new ways to bring our games in 2026 and beyond to our fans and we’ve determined joining with Major League Baseball is the best path. Beginning in 2026 and moving forward, Major League Baseball will provide opportunities to bring new features and benefits to viewers of Mariners baseball. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and excellence demonstrated by the ROOT SPORTS staff over the (nearly) four decades they have televised our games.”

ROOT Sports, which has undergone several name changes, has aired Mariners games since 1994 for 31 seasons. On Monday, team CEO John Stanton held a staff meeting at ROOT headquarters to announce the plan. More than 25 employees will be let go as of Nov. 3, and the channel will go dark on Dec. 31 (h/t Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times).

Starting in 2026, Mariners broadcasts will be handled directly by MLB—likely through platforms such as MLB.tv or other national streaming partners. The shift gives MLB greater control over distribution and could improve access for fans outside the region, especially those impacted by blackout restrictions. For Seattle, it marks a significant change in how games are televised and monetized. The Mariners will join the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres under the MLB media umbrella.