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Matt Shepard, Gibson, Morris Tigers' Broadcast Team. Shepard out, Jason Benetti in, Gibson out, Dirks in

totallytigers.wordpress.com

DEEPER DISCUSSIONS

It was the letter that created quite a stir in the media after being published in the Detroit Free Press. A fan complaining about how broadcaster Jason Benetti does too much schtick and humor when…
totallytigers.wordpress.com totallytigers.wordpress.com
DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

It was the letter that created quite a stir in the media after being published in the Detroit Free Press. A fan complaining about how broadcaster Jason Benetti does too much schtick and humor when he should be more focused on calling the game.
A week later, it’s still causing controversy.
“I’m one of the people that like just the game to be covered. I don’t need comedy hour by Andy Dirks and Jason Benetti. It’s pretty bad when you have to mute the game a lot because they just don’t shut up. Benetti always has to have a smart answer for everything! When you listen to him do a football game or a Washington Nationals baseball game, you don’t hear all that other (stuff). When he does the Tigers game, he goes on and on. I don’t mind a little humor during the game, at times you need it, but Dirks and Benetti are overkill. The Tigers radio broadcasters Dan Dickerson and Dan Petry … what a difference. Why not put Benetti on the radio, and bring Dickerson to TV? Let’s do this for 2026.”

Should baseball be more entertaining in the modern day?
Are Jason Benetti and Andy Dirks overdoing it?
Is there a better broadcast option and pairing?
Today’s blog addresses this question and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!
For this one blog only, you’ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, you can also respond to other readers.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Today, we’ve got TWO polls for you. Please make sure to vote in both.
Ready?

How do you feel about Jason Benetti's broadcast style?

1. I like it.

2. He should stick primarily to calling the game.

3. He's fine but Andy Dirks is not a good match as his partner.

VOTE

How would you divide the broadcast duties for the Tigers?

1. Keep Benetti in the tv broadcast booth.

2. Split the tv duties more evenly between Benetti and Dan Dickerson.

3. Move Benetti to the radio and put Dickerson in the tv booth.

VOTE
 
totallytigers.wordpress.com

MORE READER REQUESTS

by Holly Horning Let’s continue yesterday’s fun and answer another reader’s comment. DENNIS DAUGHERTY “MLB’s policies concerning TV access to the Tiger games (and any …
totallytigers.wordpress.com totallytigers.wordpress.com
MORE READER REQUESTS.
Totally Tigers
 
kalinecountry said:
totallytigers.wordpress.com

MORE READER REQUESTS

by Holly Horning Let’s continue yesterday’s fun and answer another reader’s comment. DENNIS DAUGHERTY “MLB’s policies concerning TV access to the Tiger games (and any …
totallytigers.wordpress.com totallytigers.wordpress.com
MORE READER REQUESTS.
Totally Tigers
Click to expand...
this is another reason MLB needs to lock out in 2027. They need to change the business model when it comes to luxury tax. The teams that go over the ceiling need to be penalized even more. The reason some teams can do it without a care in the world is the significant differences in local TV revenue. The Dodgers are reported to make over $330M per year in local TV.
 
totallytigers.wordpress.com

DEEPER DISCUSSIONS

Other than adding 2 relievers and over a dozen other pitchers to minor league contracts, the Detroit Tigers have been quiet so far this off-season. As it currently stands, the entire infield and ou…
totallytigers.wordpress.com totallytigers.wordpress.com
DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

Other than adding 2 relievers and over a dozen other pitchers to minor league contracts, the Detroit Tigers have been quiet so far this off-season.
As it currently stands, the entire infield and outfield from 2025 will remain the same.
There have been reports that teams are taking the presumed lockout into account as they build their rosters. A lockout that could significantly eat into the 2027 season.
Additionally, their latest broadcast partner is close to bankruptcy. The Tigers have just cancelled their broadcast contract with FanDuel. There is a possibility that they will renegotiate it but at a lower price. They have done this once already.
The Tigers are now faced with the potential loss of significant revenue due to FanDuel’s bankruptcy and the lockout believed to happen on December 1st.
How much of a factor do you believe these 2 factors are in the franchise’s lack of major signings this off-season?
Today’s blog addresses this question and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!
For this one blog only, you’ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, you can also respond to other readers.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Ready?

How much of a factor do you believe these 2 factors are in the franchise's lack of major signings this off-season?

1. A big chunk.

2. A small part.

3. None because the roster is being built around the top prospects.

VOTE
 
totallytigers.wordpress.com

YOU BUILD THE ROSTER

by Holly Horning It’s time to change gears a little in our roster building exercises. And it’s all due to money. Since the last blog, we learned that the Tigers’ broadcasting deal…
totallytigers.wordpress.com totallytigers.wordpress.com
YOU BUILD THE ROSTER.
Totally Tigers

It’s time to change gears a little in our roster building exercises.
And it’s all due to money.
Since the last blog, we learned that the Tigers’ broadcasting deal has once again taken a hit due to yet another bankruptcy.
A year ago, the team was forced to renegotiate their contract with the company that took over Bally Sports. This year, another bankruptcy by the new organization is forcing the team to make more changes.
The Tigers have opted out of their broadcasting contract. It is yet unknown if they will re-negotiate it (for a lower sum) or ask MLB to take it over. In either case, their broadcasting revenue will take a huge hit. At one point, it was believed to have generated over $50 mill/year and ranked as the top revenue earner for the organization.
But no matter what, the Tigers are on the hook for Jason Benetti’s salary as he is a Tigers’ employee. It is a multi-year contract and said to be significant in dollars.
On top of that is the expected lockout everyone believes will happen on December 1st, 2026. Unlike the last one, this is most likely be an extended one and eat up some, maybe all, of the season.
Of course, that means almost zero revenue will be generated.
Given the broadcasting hit and an expected additional one at the end of the year, the Tigers are being forced to look at their finances. A quiet off-season so far may be explained to some degree by these 2 factors.
It is still unclear if Tarik Skubal will be with the team this year. As well, as the roster currently stands, there will be no changes in either the infield or outfield. Editing has been limited to the starting rotation and bullpen.
The Tigers have signed former/current player Kyle Finnegan and added Kenley Jansen. Gleybor Torres is also back for the 2026 season.
So far, Detroit has subtracted and also added $13 mill to their payroll, moving from 19th to 16th in MLB. This includes contracts that have ended, new ones being added and arbitration increases for 7 players (excluding Tarik Skubal). If Skubal wins his arbitration, the Tigers will have to tack on another $13 mill to their payroll.
On the other hand, keep in mind that much of the Tigers’ roster is young and thus earning at or near MLB minimum salary.
Knowing that finances are currently tricky due to the loss of broadcast revenue and a possible strike, coupled with Tarik Skubal’s unknown 2026 salary, what would you do about adding to the roster?
Would you wait or focus on bringing up the top prospects as your priority?
Would you add lesser-known players to the roster who command lower salaries?
Or would you still pursue a key piece – a difference maker who could help push this team further in the playoffs?
It’s time for you to make the call!

Given some hits to their revenue, what should the Tigers do about further roster building?

1. Focus on bringing up the top prospects.

2. Add some lesser-known players with lower salaries.

3. Still go after someone who would be a difference maker with a higher salary.

VOTE
 
According to Forbes, the Tigers made $320M in revenue last year. Only 5 teams made less, two of whom played in Triple-A stadiums in 2025.
The Dodgers meanwhile receive $332M annually, just from their local TV contract. Because of the MSG/FanDuel mess, the Tigers don't even have a local TV contract at the moment. I get that the Dodgers have the flexibility to spend, but when they have a guaranteed annual revenue stream just from local TV that is worth more than half a dozen teams make in total, we're going to have a VERY difficult time creating competitive balance. And in a fixed system that controls so much, you can't have THIS much disparity in finances between clubs.

TigsTown
 
motorcitybengals.com

Where does Detroit Tigers TV deal stand for 2026 season as uncertainty continues?

For Detroit Tigers fans, the question isn’t whether they’ll be able to watch their team in 2026. It’s who will be responsible for making that happen — and what
motorcitybengals.com motorcitybengals.com
Where does Detroit Tigers TV deal stand for 2026 season as uncertainty continues?
A decision needs to be made, and the clock is ticking.
MCBTB
 
totallytigers.wordpress.com

SATURDAY SURVEY

Once again, the regional sports network (RSN) for the Detroit Tigers is in financial turmoil. For the 2nd time in just a couple years, each RSN has filed for bankruptcy. But this time, the Tigers…
totallytigers.wordpress.com totallytigers.wordpress.com
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

Once again, the regional sports network (RSN) for the Detroit Tigers is in financial turmoil. For the 2nd time in just a couple years, each RSN has filed for bankruptcy. But this time, the Tigers have cancelled their contract because the RSN can no longer pay them. Any new deal will hinge upon the RSN selling their company to someone new and that will take time.
As a last resort, MLB is prepared to take over the tv broadcasts. Fans then would have to subscribe to mlb.tv in order to watch the Tigers’ games. It is believed that MLB would then remove the blackout clause that would allow fans to watch the games as they happen. The expected price would be $20/month and $120/season.
Should there be no RSN this year for you to watch, will your viewing habits change? Will you move to mlb.tv?

Should there be no RSN this year, will your viewing habits change?

1. My plan won't change. I'll subscribe to whatever tv feed is available.

2. My plan won't change. I'll continue to listen to the radio feed.

3. My plan will change. I won't move to mlb.tv and will stop watching the games.

4. My plan will change. I will move from the radio feed to mlb.tv.

VOTE
 
kalinecountry said:
totallytigers.wordpress.com

SATURDAY SURVEY

Once again, the regional sports network (RSN) for the Detroit Tigers is in financial turmoil. For the 2nd time in just a couple years, each RSN has filed for bankruptcy. But this time, the Tigers…
totallytigers.wordpress.com totallytigers.wordpress.com
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

Once again, the regional sports network (RSN) for the Detroit Tigers is in financial turmoil. For the 2nd time in just a couple years, each RSN has filed for bankruptcy. But this time, the Tigers have cancelled their contract because the RSN can no longer pay them. Any new deal will hinge upon the RSN selling their company to someone new and that will take time.
As a last resort, MLB is prepared to take over the tv broadcasts. Fans then would have to subscribe to mlb.tv in order to watch the Tigers’ games. It is believed that MLB would then remove the blackout clause that would allow fans to watch the games as they happen. The expected price would be $20/month and $120/season.
Should there be no RSN this year for you to watch, will your viewing habits change? Will you move to mlb.tv?

Should there be no RSN this year, will your viewing habits change?

1. My plan won't change. I'll subscribe to whatever tv feed is available.

2. My plan won't change. I'll continue to listen to the radio feed.

3. My plan will change. I won't move to mlb.tv and will stop watching the games.

4. My plan will change. I will move from the radio feed to mlb.tv.

VOTE
Click to expand...
My plan won't change. I had to pay last year, so I will pay again this year. If they get off to a really bad start, I might cancel.
 
Most fans don’t understand how owners really make money.
Ex-Tiger Jacob Turner.

Love the ex-Tiger making this argument, thanks for sharing. And he’s absolutely right that some baseball teams are just part of a larger “ballpark village.” I’m not sure it’s fair to say a related business should cover team business losses though. Does SpaceX cover Tesla losses? Mike Smith Detroit.

Chris Illitch is a talentless nepo baby who if he didn't inherit his wealth, would be constantly receiving Performance Improvement Plans for HR because he never delivers. I don't think he's cheap. He's incompetent. John Verburg.
 
Six of the nine MLB teams with Main Street Sports are moving their media rights to the league. The Brewers, Marlins, Rays, Royals, Cardinals and Reds told MLB of their plans over the weekend. The other three--Braves, Tigers, Angels--have not been decided.
 
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