The Washington Nationals could be up for sale. Earlier this month it was reported by Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post, the Lerner family is exploring ownership options that may include finding additional investors or selling the team.
Washington Wizards and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis has reportedly had talks with the Lerners about the Nats ownership.
However, there’s one problematic hurdle that hangs over a potential sale is the Nationals’ TV rights. Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos currently holds the Nats’ TV rights through his Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, which airs Orioles games as well.
Thanks all to former MLB commissioner Bud Selig giving Angelos a bone to help facilitate the relocation of the Montreal Expos to Washington, D.C. Angelos feels the Nationals are an infringement to the Orioles’ territory, which once did include the nation’s capital.
The arrangement has been a pain to the Nationals. They’re in a larger market and have operated in the recent past as such in comparison to the Orioles. The Nats could earn more money with another regional network. However, they’ve been restrained with its TV rights owned by MASN.
Yet, there could be a reprieve for the Nats. According to a new report by Svrluga, Angelos may also be looking to sell the Orioles. If that happens, the Nationals would obtain its own TV rights.
We know the Lerners are pursuing at least new investors and, far more likely, a buyer for the Nationals. People around baseball suspect that the Angelos family is preparing to sell the Orioles. If the latter happens, you know what becomes of the Nationals’ broadcast rights? They transfer back to the Nationals.
That’s great news for the Nationals and any potential investor or new owner. The Nats are in a major market and could fetch big-time money in their own deal such as with NBC Sports Washington.
The Nats have been in arbitration and court with MASN over owed money. MLB sharing committee has ruled twice the Nationals are owed $100 million back pay from MASN. A ruling that was upheld by a New York appeals court. Angelos continues to appeal and fight the rulings.
MLB teams use TV revenue as a way to measure its team’s spending on players. The Nationals have been competitive in year’s past, which helped the club win four NL East division titles and the 2019 World Series. That’s without comparable TV revenue for a major market team.
Getting away from the MASN arrangement would open a door the Nationals have never had since moving to D.C. All eyes in Washington are set on what the Lerners will do. However, Nats faithful should keep an eye on the Orioles’ potential sale.
