Though its agreement with ESPN does not end until 2006, IGN learned today that Take-Two will publish its upcoming baseball title as just Major League Baseball 2K5 (or MLB 2K5), rather than the previous ESPN MLB 2K5.

A Visual Concepts representative confirmed that the change is in name only -- the title will still include the series' signature cut scenes, wipes, and overlays, and Jon Miller and Joe Morgan are still in the game.

The name change comes months before Take-Two technically loses the rights to the ESPN brand, which was picked up recently by Electronic Arts as a long-term exclusive.

Take-Two will publish MLB 2K5 under its newly-formed 2K Sports label, created after the company purchased Visual Concepts and sub-brand Kush Games from SEGA last month. Take-Two has also secured exclusive third-party rights to games based on MLB properties.

MLB 2K5 is scheduled for release on PlayStation 2 and Xbox in March.