BIG CONGRATULATIONS: To Royce Lewis as he Signs a Contract Worth $250 Million With ESPN To Become the First To…

In an unprecedented crossover between professional sports and sports media, Minnesota Twins sensation Royce Lewis has officially signed a $250 million multi-year deal with ESPN, making him the first active Major League Baseball player to become a full-time contributor to the network’s baseball coverage.

The deal — reportedly the most lucrative ever for an on-air personality at ESPN — marks a bold new era for sports broadcasting. Lewis, 26, is set to co-host Baseball Reimagined, a new prime-time studio show that promises a fresh, player-driven take on the game.

> “It’s about giving fans more than just highlights,” Lewis said at the press conference in Los Angeles. “We’re going inside the clubhouse, into my head during at-bats, and beyond the diamond. It’s time players had a bigger voice in the game we love.”

📺 What Makes This Deal Historic

While retired stars like Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz have made smooth transitions into broadcasting, Lewis is the first active MLB player to sign such a deal, blending real-time performance with in-depth media presence.

The Deal: $250 million over 10 years

Exclusive Access: Live in-dugout segments, mic’d-up interviews, and first-person storytelling

Broadcast Rights: ESPN gets limited documentary and podcast exclusives featuring Lewis throughout the season

Streaming Projects: A docuseries on Lewis’ path from top draft pick to All-Star leader will debut on ESPN+ this fall

⚾ Dual Role — Player and Personality

Sources close to the deal say the agreement was brokered in collaboration with MLB and the MLBPA, ensuring Lewis’s playing time won’t be compromised. ESPN plans to tailor its production around the Twins’ schedule, allowing Lewis to film remotely, contribute commentary, and even break down his own games.

> “Royce is more than a ballplayer — he’s a storyteller,” said ESPN President Burke Magnus. “Fans want more access, more authenticity. This partnership gives us both.”

Reactions From the Sports World

Fans and athletes alike have taken to social media to weigh in.

Ken Griffey Jr.: “Trailblazer. Lewis just changed the game off the field too.”

Shohei Ohtani (via translator): “Inspiring. Maybe next, we do this globally?”

Stephen A. Smith: “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — ESPN needed a face for baseball. They got one.”

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Congratulations to Royce Lewis!

Whether launching a new era in media, hitting grand slams, or inspiring the next generation of athletes, Royce Lewis continues to break barriers. His journey from No. 1 overall pick to multimillion-dollar media mogul has only just begun.