Report: MLB Network cuts ties with Ken Rosenthal over Manfred criticism
Ken Rosenthal will no longer appear on MLB Network after the prominent league insider criticized commissioner Rob Manfred, according to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post.
After writing a column for The Athletic in the summer of 2020 that opined the commissioner's legacy would be ruined if the owners and players didn't amicably work to salvage a season amid the pandemic, Rosenthal was held off air for three months, sources told Marchand. However, Rosenthal wasn't formally suspended and was still being paid to stay on the network's roster.
The league-owned network has now fully cut ties with Rosenthal, who maintains his jobs with Fox Sports as an on-air analyst during games and The Athletic as a senior baseball writer.
Can confirm MLB Network has decided not to bring me back. I’m grateful for the more than 12 years I spent there, and my enduring friendships with on-air personalities, producers and staff. I always strove to maintain my journalistic integrity, and my work reflects that. 1/2
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 4, 2022
Nothing else is changing for me professionally. I am proud to remain part of the great teams at The Athletic and Fox Sports. 2/2
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 4, 2022
"As MLB Network continues to look at fresh ways to bring baseball to our viewers, there is a natural turnover in our talent roster that takes place each year," an MLB spokesperson told Marchand. "Ken played a significant part at MLB Network over the last 13 years. From spring training to the winter meetings, we thank him for his work across MLB Network's studio, game, and event programming, and wish him the very best going forward."
While the league is currently mired in a lockout imposed by the owners when the collective bargaining agreement expired at the beginning of December, Rosenthal has since written for The Athletic calling out Manfred's letter to fans and suggesting that the new CBA should include fewer spending limitations, a stance owners don't share.