#MLB lands billion-dollar deal with Turner Sports to broadcast playoffs

While MLB and the Players Association squabble over money and the 2020 season, the league has consummated a new billion-dollar deal with Turner Sports to keep a playoff package that includes one of the league championship series on the network, The Post has learned.

The exact new contract terms are not yet known, but a substantial increase from the $350 million per season that Turner had been paying is expected, according to sources.  There had been talks in the $500 million per year range, according to sources. The length of the new contract is not yet known. Turner’s current deal ends after the 2021 season.

MLB and Turner Sports declined comment.

Besides Turner, ESPN/ABC had interest in adding MLB playoffs to its calendar. With baseball potentially expanding its postseason, ESPN/ABC might still have a chance to get in the door there. The deal is the first major rights agreement under president Jeff Zucker and shows Turner’s continued commitment to premium live sports.

Turner’s current deal includes a regular-season package on Sundays, but the money is made in the postseason, where the national viewership is substantially higher. MLB has already inked a long-term contract with Fox for the other LCS and the World Series.