Disney Buys Out MLB’s Remaining 15% Stake in BAMTech Streaming Division for $900 Million

Disney now owns 100% of BAMTech, the streaming technology services group that powers Disney+ and the media company’s other direct-to-consumer services.

Earlier this month, Disney paid $900 million to Major League Baseball to buy out the league’s remaining 15% stake in BAMTech, the media conglomerate disclosed in an SEC filing Tuesday.

In 2016, Disney made a $1 billion investment in BAMTech, giving it a 33% stake, and then a year later paid an additional $1.58 billion to hold a 75% stake. In August 2021, the NHL opted to sell its 10% interest in BAMTech to Disney for $350 million. As of Oct. 1, 2022, MLB’s 15% interest in BAMTech was recorded in Disney’s financial statements at $828 million.

MLB created the precursor to BAMTech in 2000 with MLB Advanced Media. That year, the league began streaming live video online with its MLB.TV service — years before YouTube was a glimmer in Google’s eye. In 2015, Major League Baseball spun off the streaming-technology division as BAMTech, setting up the eventual takeover by Disney.