The Minor Leagues are essentially a subsidiary of MLB now rather than a separate organization with a contract to develop players. It has very little to do with this deal but I think we will see a lot more integration going forward on the business end with minor league teams.
Providence had a similiar contract for a while, here.... Portland has also been shown on NESN as well, Centrum, besides local contracts in state.
so the above is factually incorrect. it's the team that negotiates the media contract, not how MiLB/NAPBL were reorganized.
NBC Sports Boston also had the AHL contract for a while when NESN stopped showing Providence games outside of its agreement with Hockey East.
remember, the Eastern League was 142 games, the "Northeast" League as it's been named is now 120 games.