Disney inks deal with MLB and LaLiga to ESPN+ as streaming revenue slows

Published

5 years ago

May 14, 2021

Disney is expanding its presence in the wide world of sports.

Disney has signed on a new seven-year agreement with Major League Baseball and an eight-year pact with Spain’s LaLiga soccer league.

This is latest in a series of sports-programming deals by the entertainment giant of the world.

It’s already the parent of ESPN and now set to broadcast 30 regular MLB games per season.

The soccer deal gives ESPN+ rights to the English and Spanish-language coverage of LaLiga.

It’s all part of ESPN sports-rights renewal binge that’s been happening this year.

Is this a bid to boost subscribers to Disney affiliated networks? The two sports deals represent a big financial commitment.

“ESPN’s longstanding relationship with Major League Baseball has been a driver of innovation for three decades,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement.

“This agreement solidifies baseball’s ubiquitous presence across ESPN platforms, including ESPN+.”

According to Bloomberg, Disney will pay $175 million a year for soccer, according to a person familiar with the matter, which would be more than the Premier League’s deal with Comcast Corp.’s NBC.

“For the baseball deal, the sports news site the Athletic reported earlier this year that Disney could be paying as much as $150 million a year less for the package,” Bloomberg said.

It previously had an eight-year deal worth $5.8 billion for considerably more games.

This follows Walt Disney Co missing analysts’ estimates for quarterly revenue.

The slump is being blamed on a decrease in new subscribers to Dinsey Plus and operations at its theme parks remaining restricted.

Related Topics:Disney DISNEY+ESPN LaLiga media MLB sport streaming

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US government reopens amid unresolved political divisions

US government reopens after record shutdown, yet deep political rifts and funding uncertainties linger

Published

3 days ago

November 14, 2025

Ahron Young

US government reopens after record shutdown, yet deep political rifts and funding uncertainties linger

In Short:
– U.S. government reopens after 43-day shutdown, causing disruption and unpaid federal workers.
– Political divisions persist, with unresolved issues and nearly equal blame for the shutdown on both parties.

The U.S. government is set to reopen following the longest shutdown in history, lasting 43 days.

This shutdown disrupted air travel and food assistance, leaving over 1 million federal workers unpaid.Political divisions remain despite the funding package allowing the government to resume operations. Republican President Donald Trump’s administration continues to challenge Congress on financial matters, and unresolved health subsidies remain a key issue.

Discontent within the Democratic Party is evident, as moderates and liberals disagree on how to handle Trump’s presidency.

Federal employees affected by the shutdown will receive back pay, with payments expected to be completed by Wednesday. While Trump’s administration previously threatened to withhold pay, there are no current indications of this. The deal reached ensures that federal jobs safeguarded during the shutdown are maintained.

Air Travel Normalises

Air traffic is returning to normal after significant disruption during the shutdown.

The Department of Homeland Security announced bonuses for security screeners who worked extra shifts. State funding for food aid programs will be restored shortly, assisting millions of Americans dependent on these resources.

Polling reveals nearly equal blame for the shutdown is placed on both political parties. Upcoming funding decisions pose the threat of repeating the shutdown cycle as concerns about national debt persist.

News

Markets brace as U.S. government reopens ahead of key Fed signals

U.S. government funded through January; traders anxious amid economic data delays and potential December rate cut.

Published

4 days ago

November 13, 2025

ticker NEWS

U.S. government funded through January; traders anxious amid economic data delays and potential December rate cut.

The U.S. government is funded through January, averting another shutdown for now, but economic data delays and shifting Fed expectations are keeping traders on edge.

Markets now price in a 64% chance of a December rate cut as officials deliver crucial speeches this week.

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