The Atlanta Braves’ move to bring their local broadcasts in-house is already looking like a smart one. According to a report from Front Office Sports, Braves executives say BravesVision is on pace to match, and potentially top, the club’s old regional sports network revenue model, an encouraging sign for a franchise that took a bold swing away from the collapsing RSN system.
That is a big deal for cord cutters, because the Braves are becoming one of the clearest examples of how teams can rethink local sports distribution in the streaming era. BravesVision launched after Atlanta split from FanDuel Sports Networks in February, and the new setup gives the club control over production, sales, marketing, and distribution. The network serves as the official local home for more than 140 games this season, while also making a limited slate of games available free over the air through Gray local stations.
Braves president and CEO Derek Schiller told FOS in an interview that the economics “support our decision,” adding that the team believes it is reaching more fans while generating a business model that is at least comparable to, and maybe better than, the old one. Braves executives also noted that BravesVision is carried by major distributors such as Comcast, Spectrum, DIRECTV, Cox, and Fubo, along with local outlets and the team’s direct-to-consumer option, Braves.TV.
Earlier this year, the Braves were one of nine MLB teams that left FanDuel Sports Networks as the future of that RSN business model grew increasingly shaky. With the future of FanDuel Sports Networks in doubt, teams across the NBA and NHL are also exploring exits, with more franchises expected to shift to new broadcast models.
The old RSN playbook depended on expensive cable carriage fees, shrinking subscriber bases, and teams locking fans behind pay TV. That model has become harder to sustain as cord cutting has accelerated and distributors have pushed back against rising rights fees. But the emerging alternative is not just “go streaming and hope for the best.” More teams are mixing distribution methods with local OTA TV, cable, satellite, streaming, and direct-to-consumer options all at once.
Why This Matters Beyond Atlanta and the Future of Free TV Sports
Across leagues, the mixed strategy appears to be the viable path forward. Notably, the Utah Jazz doubled their potential audience via a hybrid model when they launched their Jazz+ DTC streaming service and made their local games free OTA. If BravesVision can truly match or exceed RSN revenue while expanding access through OTA and streaming, it could become a blueprint for other franchises looking to escape the old system without taking a major financial hit.
Atlanta has a large market, a strong brand, and a long broadcasting history, which could make their exact formula difficult to replicate. Schiller also highlighted the new flexibility as a major benefit: “We can be more nimble, we can be more responsive,” he said, adding that the team can now adjust its approach in real time based on fan behavior and market conditions.
All of this is unfolding as federal scrutiny over sports streaming continues to grow. The Department of Justice is now examining how MLB structures its media deals for potential anti-competitive tactics that could limit access for viewers. Leagues want to maximize rights revenue. Fans want simpler, cheaper, more accessible ways to watch. Regulators are increasingly asking whether the current system overvalues exclusivity at the expense of the viewer.
For now, the Braves are sending a clear message that teams do not need to rely on a failing RSN model to make local sports work.
“We like where we are,” Schiller said. “We think this positions us well not just for today, but for the future.”
More clarity is coming soon. According to FOS, the Braves are expected to share additional details when they report first-quarter earnings on May 11, with a fuller financial picture likely emerging in the months ahead. During the previous earnings call in February, CFO Jill Robinson acknowledged that bringing the network in‑house will alter the club’s cash‑flow pattern compared with the prior rights‑licensing model.
Credit: Front Office Sports