The New York Yankees and the YES Network dodged a potential blackout on Comcast’s Xfinity systems—thanks to a little (and a lot of) behind-the-scenes help from President Donald Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. That help came after weeks of tense, often contentious negotiations between the two sides. Those talks finally wrapped up late Monday night, saving hundreds of thousands of Yankees fans from missing out on their team’s games.
Randy Levine, the Yankees’ and YES Network’s president, issued a heartfelt statement Tuesday—thanking Trump, Carr and other politicians who played a part in resolving the carriage dispute. That’s a big deal for fans. Why? Because this was more than just a business dispute. It was a fight over access to the games those fans love.
How the YES Network Carriage Fight Was Resolved?
The conflict started when Comcast wanted to move the YES Network to a higher tier, which would have cost viewers about $20 more a month. The network argued that it would be exiling them “to Siberia” and making them inaccessible to many Yankees fans. So, YES filed a complaint with the FCC, saying Comcast was being discriminatory.
Enter FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who publicly backed YES. On social media platform X, he said the FCC has the authority to get involved in disputes where there are claims of unfair treatment. His statement seemed to have an impact. The deal was done just before the midnight deadline on Monday.
In his follow up comments, he said, “Going dark wouldn’t have been good for anyone. Thanks to all for your good faith efforts!”
Randy Levine’s Gratitude Toward Trump, Carr, and Others
Levine’s statement was a testament to the hard work of many people—particularly President Trump and his administration and FCC Chairman Carr. He also thanked the state governors, attorneys general, and legislative leaders in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut—where YES has a big following.
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to everyone who helped us keep the YES Network on the air,” Levine said. “That was a team effort—and one that required a lot of people to stay at the table and keep negotiating.”
Governors Kathy Hochul of New York, Phil Murphy of New Jersey, and Ned Lamont of Connecticut were among those Levine praised. So were lawmakers and officials who pushed for fans’ rights. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin—along with local assembly members and senators who championed the cause—got special recognition from Levine.
Why This Resolution Mattered to Yankees Fans
Comcast may not be the biggest pay-TV operator in the U.S., but in the New York metropolitan area—and particularly in New Jersey—it has a huge following. That’s hundreds of thousands of subscribers who would have been left in the dark if a blackout had occurred—especially those Yankees fans who were still basking in the glory of their 2024 World Series appearance and off to a flying start this season.
Regional sports networks like YES know how crucial it is to keep their distribution deals on track. They face a tough road ahead, with cord-cutting and pay-TV subscription declines eating away at their base. YES, though, has a bit of a safety net. Its location in the number one media market and strong ratings mean it’s one of the more resilient RSNs around.
But the whole industry is under pressure. Losing carriage on a major platform like Comcast would have been a real body blow to YES’s financial health and fan enthusiasm.
The Unusual Role of Politics in Media Disputes
The FCC usually focuses on broadcast networks and stations not cable TV operators or programmers. But the agency’s involvement in this case shows how politics is seeping into media negotiations. Levine’s relationship with Trump likely helped grease the wheels given his history of being with the former president at events like last November’s UFC fight at Madison Square Garden.
Still, the sequence of events is interesting. Politicians don’t usually get involved in private business disputes, but the stakes were too high to ignore. With millions of dollars and the loyalty of diehard Yankees fans on the line the collaboration between government officials and corporate executives was the deciding factor.
