Just announced on NESN, ESPN has relented and will allow the New England Sports Network to air tonight’s makeup game between the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers. Negotiations between NESN and ESPN apparently took place throughout the day and at about 3:35 p.m., an announcement was made during the regularly scheduled afternoon game. Originally, ESPN was not going to waive its exclusivity for Sunday Night Baseball, but talks went on and finally, the Worldwide Leader decided to allow NESN to air the game locally.
I just received word that Fox Sports Detroit will also air the game in Michigan.
No word on whether NESN/Fox Sports Detroit had to pay extortion money a fee to ESPN.
It will not be put on MLB Extra Innings or MLB.TV in the United States.
UPDATE: 6:55 p.m.: According to NESN’s Heidi Watney, MLB.TV will carry the game in the United States.