07:43 AM EST, 02/21/2025 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with ESPN's ( DIS ) statement on X.)

Walt Disney ( DIS )' (DIS) ESPN ( DIS ) confirmed that it has opted out of its partnership with Major League Baseball, or MLB, in a Friday post on social media platform X.

ESPN ( DIS ) said in the post that it remains open to exploring other ways to serve the league's fans after 2025.

The Wall Street Journal reported the end of the parties' media rights partnership and said ESPN ( DIS ) was due to pay the league $550 million per year from 2026 to 2028 in airing rights.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred told team owners that ESPN ( DIS ) made an "aggressive effort to reduce rights fees", according to a letter seen by WSJ.

Manfred said that the league had "not been pleased with the minimal coverage that MLB has received on ESPN's ( DIS ) platforms," and that it does not think pay TV is the best platform for its content and plans to explore opportunities with a new broadcast or streaming partner.

Manfred also showed interest in selling a national streaming package that would centralize local media rights after MLB's deals with Fox and Turner Sports expire in 2028, according to the report.

MLB did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.