The MASN Drama: The Final Act (Maybe)

In a plot twist that only Major League Baseball could script, the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles have finally resolved their decades-long TV rights saga—just in time for the Nats to not be stuck under MASN’s thumb forever. The deal? A one-year extension with MASN for 2025, followed by a glorious freedom to explore new broadcasting options in 2026. The curtain has closed on a bitter feud, and the Nats are officially free from the MASN stranglehold. But don’t get too excited—this might just be Act 1 of an even juicier drama ahead.

MASN, the Orioles-owned network, has been a thorn in the side of the Nationals since 2004 when Peter Angelos, the legendary Orioles owner and self-proclaimed legal superhero, wrangled a deal that kept the Nats’ TV rights firmly under his control. Fast-forward 20 years, and after some questionable courtroom antics, a few lawyers crying in their briefs, and the passing of Angelos himself in 2024, the Nats are free. Free, at last.

And the Nats are, of course, thanking everyone in sight for this monumental turn of events. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, whose intervention was the final key to unlocking this cage, is presumably getting a hero’s welcome from the Lerners. Oh, and let’s not forget, the Nats are also thanking their long-suffering fans, who’ve been forced to endure MASN’s quality control issues since forever.

But while the MASN door is finally closing, the new one isn’t without complications.

TV Rights, New Partners, and a Dash of Ted Leonsis Magic

Next up: Who gets to air Nats games after 2025? Enter Transparent Ted Leonsis, everyone’s favorite DC sports mogul. Yes, Ted tried to buy the Nats back in 2022, but alas, the Lerners were feeling a bit attached to their toys and decided to keep the team. However, Ted’s not giving up that easily—he’s eyeing those TV rights like a hawk. Monumental Sports, Leonsis’ empire, could use a solid 162-game summer on the airwaves, and with his deep pockets and a knack for growing sports networks, Ted’s poised to swoop in… unless MLB has other plans.

Here’s the catch: Commissioner Manfred has dreams of nationalizing local TV rights across the league, which means the Nats might end up in a big, MLB-controlled broadcasting umbrella, forcing Ted (and others) to play by a different set of rules. The Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Cubs, and Mets are all too busy counting their cash to jump on board with this plan, but smaller-market teams—hello, Nats—are perfect candidates for Manfred’s vision.

So, while the Nats may be free from MASN, the future of their TV rights is still an open question, with Ted Leonsis possibly just one bid away from getting what he wants. That is, of course, if Manfred doesn’t come in like a wrecking ball and nationalize everything. Ted’s plans for domination might have to wait just a little longer.

Naming Rights: Don’t Call It a Comeback (Except, You Know, Maybe Do)

Oh, and as a cherry on top of the Washington Nationals’ long-awaited freedom, there’s the possibility of stadium naming rights and jersey patch deals—but don’t get too excited. The Lerners have turned down several lucrative stadium sponsorships in the past because, apparently, they weren’t a “good fit.” As if naming rights for the stadium weren’t one of the easiest ways to make bank. But hey, they’re waiting for the “right brand” to come along, which is an excellent way to phrase things when you’re negotiating with companies that don’t go bankrupt six months after signing a $38 million deal (looking at you, crypto company). But at least the Lerners got the money upfront, so maybe there’s a lesson in that… somewhere.

In the grand scheme, the Nationals are finally moving forward after nearly two decades of contractual nightmares. With MASN in the rearview and new potential deals on the horizon, the future is uncertain—but at least it’s not tangled in a courtroom anymore. So here’s to hoping that the only thing tied up in the next season is the Nationals’ playoff hopes—not another endless legal dispute.