Mariners End an Era: ROOT Sports Northwest to Shut Down as MLB Takes Over Broadcasts

In a significant shift for Seattle sports media, the Seattle Mariners announced that ROOT Sports Northwest will cease operations at the end of the 2025 season. This decision, revealed on Friday with just three days remaining in the regular season, marks the conclusion of a regional sports network that has been a fixture in Pacific Northwest homes since 1988. The timing is particularly noteworthy as the Mariners have just clinched the AL West division title for the first time since 2001, giving fans something to celebrate even as this broadcasting chapter closes. Starting in 2026, Major League Baseball will assume full control of all broadcast production, carriage, and streaming of Mariners games, fundamentally changing how fans will connect with their team in the future.

The Mariners’ decision reflects broader changes sweeping through sports media, where traditional regional sports networks face mounting economic challenges. “We continue to focus on finding new ways to bring our games in 2026 and beyond to our fans and we’ve determined joining with Major League Baseball is the best path,” the team explained in their statement. This move comes just two years after the Mariners took complete ownership of ROOT Sports in 2023, indicating how quickly the broadcasting landscape has evolved. The transition aligns with a pattern seen across MLB, where the league has already taken over broadcast operations for other teams like the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies as regional networks struggle to maintain profitability in a changing media environment.

The shutdown directly impacts more than 25 staff members at ROOT Sports who will lose their jobs according to The Seattle Times, adding a human dimension to this business decision. Based in Bellevue, Washington, ROOT Sports has been more than just a broadcaster—it’s been a community institution connecting generations of fans to Mariners baseball through familiar voices and distinctive local coverage. The uncertainty now extends to the on-air talent as well, with no clear indication whether current Mariners announcers and analysts will continue in their roles under MLB’s management. These personalities have become virtual members of many Seattle households, making their potential departure another significant loss for longtime viewers who have developed connections with these broadcasters over years of games, rain delays, and memorable moments.

At the heart of this change is the fundamental shift in how fans consume sports content. The traditional cable TV model that sustained regional sports networks for decades has been steadily eroding as viewers increasingly “cut the cord” and abandon conventional cable packages from providers like Comcast and DirecTV. This consumer migration has forced teams and leagues to adapt their distribution strategies. Earlier this year, the Mariners launched the ROOT Sports Stream app, offering fans live games for $19.99 per month as an alternative access point. Now, looking ahead to 2026, the team suggests MLB will “provide opportunities to bring new features and benefits to viewers of Mariners baseball,” likely through a platform similar to other MLB-powered team streams that require an annual subscription—possibly under a “Mariners.TV” brand.

The transition to MLB-controlled broadcasting reflects the growing influence of both the league itself and major technology companies in sports media. MLB has been strategically expanding its production capabilities and direct-to-consumer offerings, positioning itself to handle team broadcasts as regional networks falter. Simultaneously, tech giants like Amazon—which already streams New York Yankees games and has heavily invested in NFL rights—are pouring billions into securing live sports for their platforms. This convergence of traditional sports entities and technology companies is reshaping how fans access games, with streaming becoming increasingly central to the viewing experience. While many details remain unsettled, including channel assignments and exact pricing structures, Mariners fans can expect to maintain access to games through both traditional TV and streaming options under MLB’s infrastructure.

For the Seattle region, this change represents more than just a different way to watch baseball—it signifies another evolution in the city’s complex relationship with technology and tradition. Under CEO and Chairman John Stanton, a pioneer in the wireless and mobile industry who took control of the franchise in 2016, the Mariners are navigating this media transition while simultaneously celebrating a long-awaited return to championship contention. As ROOT Sports Northwest prepares to sign off for the final time after nearly four decades on air, fans are left to contemplate how this change will affect their connection to the team. The broadcast booth has long served as a virtual gathering place where shared experiences and memories are formed, and while the games will continue, the familiar framework through which generations have experienced Mariners baseball is undergoing a fundamental transformation. As the team enters the postseason with championship hopes, this announcement adds a bittersweet note to what should be a purely celebratory moment for the Seattle faithful.