The Cardinals announced this afternoon that they’ve reached a new multi-year contract with FanDuel Sports Network to continue carrying in-market broadcasts. The deal includes a streaming partnership that’ll allow consumers in the St. Louis area to access games on the FanDuel app. Hannah Wyman and Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch write that app subscribers can view the games without a television provider, which should drastically reduce blackouts.
FanDuel Sports Network, which is a property of Diamond Sports Group, is the same TV network that had broadcasting rights to Cardinals games under the previous Bally Sports moniker. Last month, Diamond abandoned its previous deals with the Cards and 11 other teams as it continues to navigate bankruptcy. Diamond expressed openness to renegotiating at least some of those deals at reduced fees.
The Cards were willing to do so despite the associated revenue losses. Wyman and Goold report that they’ll take a 23% reduction next season compared to what they would’ve made on the prior contract. With the previous deal calling for roughly $75MM in rights fees, the Cardinals stand to drop roughly $17.25MM to the $57-58MM range. The team did not specify the length of this contract beyond calling it a multi-year partnership. Evan Drellich and Katie Woo of the Athletic report that the deal does not stretch into the 2030s and affords some measure of flexibility depending on the future state of sports media.
For fans, the streaming addition is the biggest direct news. The deal is indirectly relevant to the fanbase by providing the organization with a bit of clarity on their revenue situation. The expected revenue losses have long pointed to a dip in spending. That was reinforced by the decision to decline a few team options, most notably a $12MM call on Kyle Gibson. They’re not expected to pursue reunions with free agents Paul Goldschmidt and Andrew Kittredge.
That could account for most of the payroll reduction. St. Louis has a little less than $110MM committed. Their arbitration class is projected for something in the $19MM range. That leaves the Cards nearly $50MM south of this past season’s Opening Day spending. The Cardinals are going to get trade interest on a number of veterans as they embrace a retooling effort and evaluate younger players. Speculation about a complete teardown was quieted this week with reports that Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray, both of whom have no-trade clauses, are unlikely to move after suggesting they preferred to stay in St. Louis.
The Cardinals become the second team to negotiate a new deal with Diamond after its previous broadcasting agreement was dropped. The Marlins reportedly reached a contract to stay on FanDuel Sports Network last month, though Miami hasn’t made any official announcement. Diamond is abiding by its original contract with the Braves, so it’ll carry at least three teams next year.
ESPN’s Alden González writes that MLB will carry broadcasts for the Twins, Guardians and Brewers — all of whom were dropped by Diamond. (They join the Padres, Diamondbacks and Rockies in that regard.) The Rangers said they have no plans to renegotiate with Diamond but are still exploring other opportunities. Plans for the other five teams — the Reds, Rays, Tigers, Angels and Royals — are still undetermined.
Blackpink in the area
How many times has this site found a way to mention the Cardinals are dropping payroll????
I swear to God you have mentioned it in EVERY SINGLE ARTICLE ON THIS SITE!!!!
Get some new material folks. Your trade candidate list was a freaking joke. What happens when not a single one of the 7 guys named gets traded? Then what?
Good gosh man.
Gwynning
This site is, was and probably will be opinionated articles explaining baseball facts with their own “takes”… and we can provide the same in comments. If you begged to differ, then say so with astute reason backing your retort. It’s rather easy, Joel.
Blackpink in the area
I have said plenty with astute reason backing it. The site has a bias towards the Cubs always has. Usually they don’t do anti Cardinals stuff but this offseason has been different. Ever since Mozeliak said payroll would go down in 2025 they took that quote and have ran with it making wild assumptions and accusations. I think it’s been mentioned on this site in 15 different articles that payroll is going down. Mozelial said it 1 time. It’s mentioned over and over. Then the top 35 trade candidate list has 7 Cardinals on it. Any Cubs? Of course not they trade nobody and sign Max Fried according to this site. Cardinals are tearing the whole thing down according to this site. And that’s not what Mozelial and DeWitt said at all.
Gwynning
Remember last year when all the articles said my Pads were going to lower payroll and I had my foot in the ground about them “not slashing” and then we traded Soto like a month later and then I realized Preller was reseting so it all made sense? Yeah, I was wrong… but that was my opinion and all you posters could have dunked on me and then for months you were the only one that kept bringing it up and saying how Pads fans were losers and whiny babies? Yeah, imma ‘member this post, fo sho.
Blackpink in the area
Dude I was arguing with you and about 5 other Padrss fans and they all were so defensive about it. And you were wrong. I don’t remind you of it anymore(except here since you asked) but back then yeah I did my victory lap. Had to put a couple of those dipwads on mute after all that.
This isn’t the same thing. This site is showing a bias. I am not a Padres fan I had no bias towards or against your team. None at all I just saw the writing on the wall. And the Padres made a good trade and made the playoffs so what’s the problem? It all worked out short of actually winning a championship.
Lloyd Emerson
Settle down, Beavis
16
Haha, get a tissue
earmbrister
Lighten up Francis
Blackpink in the area
What i said is true. I don’t come here because it’s the Fox News of baseball sites I want fair and honest reporting.
It’s very frustrating because the concept of this site i absolutely love. And the writers and quality of the site are all top notch. But this Cubs bias is ridiculous.
Gwynning
Eh, my grandma always said “If you don’t like what’s on the TV then turn the channel.” Cheers Joel
Blackpink in the area
Again the concept of this site is unique and exactly what I like. I like talking trade rumors and talking about trades that actually happen. And again the quality of the articles and the writing is top notch. Just stop with all the Cardinals propaganda. I swear it’s like the writers get a bonus for mentioning the Cardinals are lowering payroll because they keep mentioning it over and over.
Gwynning
Well, the writing is on the wall if we are to take Mo at his word. In fact, the moves might be as simple as the few you mentioned. Maybe this news of a new deal helps alleviate your concerns about payroll levels? The bottomline is it’s just too soon to tell for sure and simply a nothingburger until things happen. Aloha
Blackpink in the area
I think they are letting the free agents or guys with options walk. And that’s fine. Contreras is going to take over 1b. The team has plenty of starters they really do.
What I am really irritated with was the top 35 trade candidate list with 7 Cardinals on it. That’s not happening. At all. If it does I will admit I was wrong but I am not wrong at all.
Kash Considerations
Until you’re wrong Bita, and we’ve all seen you be wrong before.
Blackpink in the area
Who is we and what was I wrong about?
I feel a mute coming on…..
Gwynning
<—- Raises hand to join "we"
Blackpink in the area
You can each speak for yourself. Thats how it works. I don’t use other people’s opinions to validate my own that’s lame. And you shouldn’t either.
Gwynning
I’m not going to waste any of my time “bringing receipts” but I’ve seen you be wrong numerous times, Joel. C’mon chief, you know it. Good night from the beautiful San Diego coast, buddy.
Blackpink in the area
Pretty sure everyone in the history of the world has been wrong before. So what the f is your point fella???? I was wrong about some unnamed thing once so I am wrong now? That’s idiotville Randy.
Kash Considerations
I meant we as in any other posters. I wasn’t trying to categorize a specific group. You take things too personal bruv
Blackpink in the area
As briefly mentioned in this article the payroll reduction can be solved simply by not bringinging Lynn, Gibson, Goldschmidt and others back. There is no need for a complete rebuild. The team isn’t trading away all their players. As a fan I kinda wish they would but it’s not going to happen and you guys reporting like it is makes you irresponsible, especially considering the Cubs nonsense you come up with.
CardsFan57
They are also increasing the money spent on player development in the minors. That’s not cheap when done correctly.
Blackpink in the area
They aren’t blowing up the team. DeWitt said as much in the press conference. And how much do you think they need to spend in 2025 payroll on player development? 50 million?
I bet the team does very little the rest of the offseason. Like all time quiet offseason.
CardsFan57
At least $50 million
Blackpink in the area
For just 2025? No i don’t think so.
They aren’t blowing up the team. Wait and see. I dont care if you or me want them to do it they aren’t doing it. Wait and see.
This one belongs to the Reds
This reminds me of Padres fans saying they wouldn’t deal Soto and not cutting payroll.
Any team getting less from Bally will be cutting expenses. It is just business basics.
Blackpink in the area
They are cutting expenses by not bringing back Lynn, Gibson, Goldschmidt, Middleton and Kittredge. That’s a lot of money right there.
Maybe they deal Arenado but I doubt it. I think the Cardinals try and compete in 2025 and they sell at the deadline if they have to. We will see. That’s my prediction. I want them to blow it up but I don’t think they will.
ih8tepaperstraws
They don’t have to blow up the team. The team already sucks and the farm system doesn’t offer much hope aside from maybe 3 or 4 players.
Blackpink in the area
Thst sucky team finished with the same record as the Cubs if I recall.
So what’s their excuse? You tell me.
This one belongs to the Reds
True. History shows they won’t. Honestly, they are probably a year too late even if they tried to blow it up.
Blackpink in the area
29 teams in the league are a year too late. Only 1 champion the rest should have built for next year with the benefit of hindsight.
CardsFan57
I really like 4 of the minor leaguers. I hope 1 or two more surprise me.
DonOsbourne
Let’s do a way too early breakdown:
A) I assume Arenado will be traded
B) I am assuming an open Spring Training competition between Siani and Scott for the CF job with the loser going to Memphis.
C) I am assuming a similar competition between Fermin and Prieto with Saggese starting the season at Memphis.
D) I want them to bring back Randall Grichuk.
So against RH starters:
C-Pages/Herrera
1B-Burleson
2B-Donovan
SS-Winn
3B-Gorman
LF-Nootbaar
CF-Scott or Siani
RF-Walker
DH-Contreras
Against LH starters:
C-Herrera/Pages
1B-Contreras
2B-Donovan
SS-Winn
3B-Prieto or Fermin
LF-Unknown RH hitter
CF-Nootbaar
RF-Grichuk
DH-Walker
I think the most important thing is that they don’t get too committed to one line-up or player. If a guy is struggling, play someone else. In this scenario there are legitimate options at Memphis who can be recalled. There is no pressure this year.
DonOsbourne
Addendum:
I have no idea if Ivan Herrera could play LF, but in a likely non-competitive season I would be fine with letting him try in order to keep his bat in the line-up. He could be the “unknown RH hitter” in the LH starter scenario. On paper, that would be a great utilization of current assets. 11/7/24
Blackpink in the area
I am not ready to assume Arenado gets dealt but I do think he’s thevlikliest to be traded.
After thinking about it I am OK with Contreras and 2 catchers. I think Baker deserves a shot but people get hurt he will probably still get one.
The more I think about it I bet the team waits until mid season before making big trades. At that point Herrera, Siani, Fedde, Helsley, Mikolas and Matz could all be dealt if the team isn’t looking good.
Arenado to me is the wild card. And I really wouldn’t mind them signing Scherzer.
Blackpink in the area
Share the article on the Athletic earlier today from Katie Woo
“The Cardinals are not tanking”
Post that article here unless it goes against your agenda.
CardsFan57
They can’t post articles behind a paywall.
Blackpink in the area
They did 2 days ago when hey posted that nonsense article from Patrick Mooney Cubs fan. Same site Athletic.
Gwynning
Congrats STL fans! If your streaming option is half as cool as the Padres’ one turned out, then y’all are in for a treat! Year package (every game except a couple two, three AppleTV ones…) was $150 or $30 a month. Had access to every Padre MiLB affiliate games and a League highlights tab, too. One other random MLB game was available everyday, too. I’m not a shill, just an übermensch baseball fan that thinks it was money well spent. Cheers all
CardsFan57
We’re still with Bally. They just changed their name in shame.
For Love of the Game
Not a shill, just a guy expressing an encouraging opinion that team streaming is a good experience at a reasonable price. I’m hoping my Tigers come up with a similar experience and value. Then cable gets the ziggy (a Dick Vitale expression)!
Gwynning
Dude, cut cable like 3 years ago and never looked back! I’d be lost without the Pad’s package though! Good luck FLotG!
YankeesBleacherCreature
That’s a deal. YES for my team was $240 and missing like 15 games and no MiLB.
Gwynning
It seemed like we had a preview weekend every month as well, YBC… and that meant every game was free that weekend. All that and after any game was complete you could watch a 9 minute quickie or a 30-ish minute “every pitch” replay. Behind the scenes interviews, Schildt’s postgamers, etc. too. All for that buck-fiddy!
YankeesBleacherCreature
They doing it right. We had none of that. Would love a condensed game as I’m teaching my kiddo about baseball. We started playing wiffle ball this fall and he asked about a kids’ rec league next spring.
Gwynning
Eff yeah, good job bro! Wiffle with the fam is just the best thing ever! I enjoy the ess out of watching the younguns play organized ball, too… but in my heart, Wiffle rules. Probably just the ex-player in me, and the only possible way I can throw my wicked screwball! Ha! All the best YBC
YankeesBleacherCreature
Lol. We go to a field every weekend right behind a skate park. It inevitably turns into a pickup game every time. I have little cones for bases but may need to upgrade soon to actual basepads.
FrontOfficeStan
I think the problem with these streaming options is that it is still cable pricing. $30/mo is not really a good deal. At that point, why would you not just do mlb tv and use a VPN so you don’t show that you’re in market? You would get the same options and more.
This one belongs to the Reds
It is just amazing that they let this fiasco continue and do new deals with these people.
Never underestimate the stupidity of people.
Gwynning
“Can I write check?” – Yao Ming
All jokes aside, I’d ask for the cash upfront! Cheers TOBTTR!
The Saber-toothed Superfife
The Tigers can be of mutual benefit.
Old York
I guess the Cards can now contact Soto for that $1B contract.
Blackpink in the area
The Cardinals are cutting payroll. You haven’t heard?
Old York
@Blackpink in the area
Never heard of any MLB teams cutting payroll. They all spend like trillionaires, even the one in Pittsburgh..
DanUgglasRing
Always steal sports via the well known steaming options that is all.
AboveHockey
Why would any team renegotiate a deal with a company that’s shown to be inept at finances and going through bankruptcy?? There isn’t any other option??