The Minnesota Twins have reached a new agreement with Diamond Sports Group, likely ensuring that their games will continue to air on Bally Sports North for the upcoming season. Pending approval from a bankruptcy judge, the one-year deal is set to maintain the same broadcasting terms as previous seasons.
For local viewers who have opted to cut the cord, this news comes as a disappointment, as they were anticipating a direct-to-consumer viewing option for Twins games in 2024.
This latest development is also disheartening for other stakeholders, including Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey, who previously cited uncertainty surrounding a potential loss of $65 million in revenue due to the expiration of their TV deal with Bally Sports North.
While the new agreement is expected to cover up to 85% of the revenue concern, it’s unclear if the Twins will reinvest the funds saved from player payroll cuts, estimated at $25 to $30 million, into player acquisitions.
Despite hopes for increased spending on player salaries, insiders suggest that ownership had planned to reduce player expenditures regardless of the TV deal outcome.
This decision raises concerns about the Twins’ commitment to rebuilding trust with their fanbase, especially given the team’s recent success. Fans had hoped for increased investment to capitalize on a potential opportunity for a World Series run, but it seems the organization is content with maintaining the status quo.
The situation underscores the frustration of fans who had anticipated a more aggressive approach from the Twins in the offseason. Instead, the team appears to have opted for cost-cutting measures, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the previous explanations regarding financial constraints.
