Quick Read
- Detroit Tigers are moving their TV broadcasts to MLB Media for the 2026 MLB season.
- Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announced the ‘first of its kind partnership’ for both the Tigers and Detroit Red Wings.
- Former ace Justin Verlander signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Tigers for the 2026 season.
- Verlander, 42, returns to Detroit after 8.5 years, having won two World Series and two Cy Young Awards elsewhere.
- The contract includes $11 million in deferred payments, set to begin in 2030.
DETROIT (Azat TV) – The Detroit Tigers are embarking on a significant transformation for their 2026 season, marked by a groundbreaking shift in their television broadcast partnership to Major League Baseball Media and the surprising return of franchise icon Justin Verlander. These twin developments, announced in early February 2026, signal a new era for the team, aiming to stabilize fan access to games while bolstering the pitching rotation with a legendary arm.
The moves come as the Tigers, owned by Ilitch Sports + Entertainment (IS+E), prepare for a season that promises both a new viewing experience for fans and a nostalgic return for one of baseball’s most decorated pitchers.
New Broadcast Era for Detroit Tigers and Red Wings
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment officially announced on Monday, February 9, that Major League Baseball will take control of the production, broadcast, and distribution of Tigers television games starting with the 2026 MLB season. This ‘first of its kind partnership’ also extends to the Detroit Red Wings, with their broadcasts falling under MLB control beginning in the 2026-27 NHL season. The Tigers are officially splitting with FanDuel Sports Network, a decision following similar moves by nine other MLB teams to end contracts with Main Street Sports Group, which operates the FanDuel networks, as reported by Sports Business Journal.
Ryan Gustafson, President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, stated that the decision was driven by ‘recent uncertainty throughout the regional sports broadcasting industry.’ The goal, he explained, is to provide fans with ‘a consistent, year-round outlet to watch Tigers baseball and Red Wings hockey.’ While specific details regarding pricing, app availability, and direct-to-consumer streaming subscriptions will be released at a later date, IS+E confirmed that games will be accessible through existing cable and satellite packages, alongside new streaming options.
Fans can expect continuity in the broadcast booth, as IS+E anticipates the return of familiar voices, including play-by-play commentators Jason Benetti and Dan Dickerson, and color commentators Andy Dirks and Dan Petry for the Tigers’ 2026 season.
Justin Verlander’s Homecoming to Detroit
Adding to the excitement for the 2026 season, the Detroit Tigers formally announced on Tuesday, February 10, that they have reached an agreement with former ace Justin Verlander on a one-year contract valued at $13 million. The deal marks a highly anticipated reunion for Verlander, who will turn 43 on February 20, with the team that drafted him second overall in 2004. According to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic Detroit, $11 million of the contract’s payments are deferred, beginning in 2030, offering the Tigers financial flexibility.
Verlander’s return comes eight and a half years after he was traded to the Houston Astros in August 2017. His 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants saw him post a 3.85 ERA with 137 strikeouts and 52 walks across 152 innings in 29 starts, demonstrating his continued effectiveness despite a tough first half. In the second half of 2025, he improved significantly, registering a 2.99 ERA and 3.47 FIP. His velocity remained strong, averaging 93.9 mph with his fastball, complemented by a plus slider and curveball.
Upon his return, Verlander will reunite with Tigers manager A.J. Hinch and former teammate Framber Valdez, bringing a level of familiarity to the clubhouse. Jeff Passan of ESPN also noted that Verlander is expected to wear a Tigers hat when he is eventually inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, underscoring the significance of his career with the franchise.
Verlander’s Enduring Legacy with the Tigers
Justin Verlander’s initial tenure with the Detroit Tigers, from 2005 to 2017, established him as arguably the greatest pitcher in franchise history. During this period, he earned the 2006 American League Rookie of the Year award and achieved a rare pitching Triple Crown in 2011, winning the AL Cy Young Award and the AL Most Valuable Player Award in the same season. He led the Tigers to two World Series appearances in 2006 and 2012, and four consecutive postseason berths from 2011 to 2014.
After leaving Detroit, Verlander continued his illustrious career, winning two World Series championships with the Houston Astros (2017, 2022) and two additional AL Cy Young Awards (2019, 2022), even after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2020. With 3,553 career strikeouts and a 266-158 record over 20 seasons, he remains one of baseball’s most dominant and valuable pitchers of his generation.
These strategic moves underscore a proactive approach by Ilitch Sports + Entertainment to navigate the evolving sports media landscape while simultaneously investing in the team’s on-field performance and franchise legacy, directly addressing fan concerns about accessibility and competitive aspirations for the 2026 season.