History of MASN in Timeline

The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) is a regional sports network in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It's a joint venture between the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball franchises. MASN provides regional coverage of sporting events, catering to audiences in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas. The network is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.

April 4, 2005: Mid-Atlantic Sports Network Launched

On April 4, 2005, the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) was officially launched after agreements were made regarding the television rights for the relocated Montreal Expos, who became the Washington Nationals.

July 27, 2005: Comcast Lawsuit Dismissed

On July 27, 2005, a lawsuit filed by Comcast against the Orioles regarding television rights was thrown out by Montgomery County Circuit Judge Durke G. Thompson, after arguments by Baltimore attorney Arnold M. Weiner. This ruling was in favor of MASN and the Orioles.

2005: MASN Launch and Initial Fan Frustration

In 2005, just before the season began, MASN was created, but many Washington, D.C.-area cable television subscribers could not access MASN and MASN2, leaving them unable to watch Nationals games and frustrated with the network.

July 2006: Lerner Family Acquires Interest in MASN and Network Expands to 24/7

In July 2006, the family of Ted Lerner, the founder of Lerner Enterprises, became part-owners in MASN after purchasing the Washington Nationals. In the same month, the network expanded its programming to become a 24-hour channel, including more collegiate sports and local and national shows.

August 4, 2006: Comcast Agrees to Carry MASN

On August 4, 2006, Comcast reached a settlement to carry MASN starting in September. As part of the deal, Comcast was forced to drop its lawsuit against MASN, clearing the way for the Orioles to move their games to MASN for the 2007 season.

January 21, 2008: FCC Arbitrator Orders TWC to Add MASN

On January 21, 2008, an FCC arbitrator ordered Time Warner Cable (TWC) to add MASN on its North Carolina systems. The arbitrator suggested TWC was protecting its regional sports network, Time Warner Cable Sports.

August 2008: MASN Files Carriage Complaint Against Comcast

In August 2008, MASN filed a carriage complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) after negotiations with Comcast for a new contractual agreement did not succeed.

September 16, 2008: MASN Announces Full-Time HD Feed Launch

On September 16, 2008, MASN announced it would launch a full-time high-definition (HD) feed, called MASNHD.

October 30, 2008: FCC Denies Time Warner Cable's Appeal

On October 30, 2008, the FCC's Media Bureau denied Time Warner Cable's motions in its appeal and ordered TWC to add MASN to the analog tier of its North Carolina systems within 30 days.

January 16, 2009: TWC Files Another Appeal

On January 16, 2009, Time Warner Cable filed another appeal regarding the order to carry MASN on its North Carolina systems, which was put "on circulation" and remained there for almost two years.

December 23, 2009: Comcast and MASN Settle Dispute

On December 23, 2009, Comcast and MASN settled their dispute, with Comcast announcing plans to carry MASN on systems not already carrying it, potentially starting in 2010. The FCC complaint was subsequently dismissed.

March 23, 2010: Comcast to Carry MASN in Central Pennsylvania

On March 23, 2010, MASN announced that Comcast would begin carrying the network on its central Pennsylvania systems starting on March 31.

December 20, 2010: FCC Grants Time Warner Cable's Petition for Review

On December 20, 2010, the FCC voted 4–1 to grant Time Warner Cable's petition for review, reversing the Media Bureau's order to carry MASN. TWC's willingness to carry MASN on an analog tier in certain areas was noted.

2010: MASN Relaunches The John Riggins Show

In 2010, MASN relaunched The John Riggins Show, a daily sports talk show hosted by the Washington Redskins hall of famer John Riggins. Riggins also hosted Riggo's Postgame Xtra after each Redskins game.

2012: Nationals and MASN Dispute Over Broadcast Rights Fees Begins

In 2012, the Nationals sought $118 million per year from MASN for broadcast rights for the 2012-2016 seasons, while the Orioles offered $39.5 million. MASN began paying the Nationals the $39.5 million, and the dispute went to Major League Baseball's Revenue-Sharing Definitions Committee for arbitration because MASN and the Nationals could not agree on an annual amount.

June 30, 2014: Revenue-Sharing Definitions Committee Decision on MASN Fees

On June 30, 2014, the Major League Baseball's Revenue-Sharing Definitions Committee decided that MASN should pay the Nationals an average of $59 million per year for the 2012 through 2016 seasons. MASN, claiming bias, initiated litigation to vacate the decision.

April 2015: MASN Dispute Impact on Orioles' Schedule

In April 2015, animosity over the MASN dispute may have contributed to the Orioles' decision to postpone two games against the Chicago White Sox, play the third without fans, and move a series with the Rays to Tampa Bay due to security concerns during civil unrest in Baltimore. Nationals Park was available but not utilized.

2016: Continued Dispute Over MASN Fees

By 2016, the dispute between MASN and the Nationals over broadcast rights fees remained unresolved, and the renegotiation period for the 2017 through 2021 seasons was missed.

2017: Ongoing Fee Dispute Between Nationals and MASN

In 2017, the dispute between the Nationals and MASN continued with the Nationals seeking over $100 million in fees for both the 2012-2016 and 2017-2021 periods. The team and some fans believed the delay in increased fees negatively impacted the team's revenues and ability to sign free agents.

January 2021: MASN Firings of Broadcast Team Members

In January 2021, MASN fired most of the Baltimore Orioles' broadcast team, except Jim Palmer, and some of the Washington Nationals' broadcast team including Dan Kolko, Bo Porter, Alex Chappell, and Byron Kerr. The Nationals expressed disappointment with the firings.

March 2021: Dan Kolko Rehired by Nationals

In March 2021, Dan Kolko was rehired by the Nationals organization and continues to contribute to telecasts on MASN.

2021: Nationals Seek Payment from MASN

In 2021, The Nationals sought payment from MASN of over $100 million in fees each for the 2012–2016 and 2017–2021 periods

March 3, 2025: Orioles and Nationals Reach Settlement Over TV Rights

On March 3, 2025, the Orioles and Nationals reached a settlement to end their dispute over television rights fee payments. The Nationals' agreement with the Orioles and MASN will conclude following the 2025 season.