The Seattle Mariners announced Friday that they will shut down Root Sports Northwest at the end of the 2025 season, shifting all aspects of broadcast production, carriage, and streaming of Mariners games to Major League Baseball beginning in 2026.
It marks the end of a decades-long run for the regional sports network, dating back to 1988 when it launched as Northwest Cable Sports. The Mariners took full ownership of ROOT Sports in 2023.
“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,” the Mariners said in a statement. “Beginning in 2026 and moving forward, Major League Baseball will provide opportunities to bring new features and benefits to viewers of Mariners baseball.”
MLB already supported production for Mariners games. By 2026, it will take over all broadcast duties.
The move underscores the deteriorating economic model for regional sports networks amid a shift in how live sports is consumed, as more fans “cut the cord” and abandon traditional cable packages from providers such as Comcast and DirecTV.
As part of the trend, tech giants including Amazon — which streams a package of New York Yankees games and has invested heavily in NFL and other rights — are spending billions to air live sports on their platforms.
MLB has stepped in to assume control of broadcasts for other teams including the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies in recent years.
Mariners fans should expect similar access to games next season via linear TV and streaming under MLB’s production and streaming infrastructure. Many details — channel assignments, etc. — still need to be ironed out as MLB takes over fully.
“Mariners.TV” could become the portal for live games online, similar to other MLB-powered team streams that charge an annual subscription.
Earlier this year the Mariners launched the ROOT Sports Stream app, offering fans live games for $19.99/month.
It’s unclear whether current Mariners announcers and analysts will remain on the air next season.
More than 25 staff members at ROOT Sports will be laid off, according to The Seattle Times.
The news comes with just three days left in the 2025 regular season and as the Mariners prepare for a postseason run after winning the AL West division title this week, for the first time since 2001.
The Mariners are led by CEO and Chairman John Stanton, a wireless and mobile pioneer in the Seattle region who took over the franchise in 2016.
