In the world of professional sports in the U.S., the NFL is king. Baseball was once the most-watched sport in the country, with Opening Day historically marking a major event in American sports culture. However, the excitement surrounding Opening Day has waned, reflecting broader trends in sports viewership and generational shifts in interests. Last year, a Washington Post poll showed only 11% of adults chose baseball as the favorite sport they like to watch, while 34% preferred the NFL. Baseball’s popularity is even lower among adults under 30, with just 7% ranking the sport as their favorite.
In contrast, the NBA Finals have seen a rise in viewership, highlighting the visual appeal and marketing strategies that have helped basketball engage audiences more effectively than baseball.
Many things have contributed to the decline in baseball viewership, with the most recent sports news being the three-month-long lockout which delayed the start of the 2022 season. Fans seem to be turned off when the season is postponed while billionaire owners and millionaire players try to figure out how to divide up all the cash, with many abandoning the game for good. In the broader context of American sports, baseball is losing its appeal compared to faster-paced sports like football and basketball.
Additionally, soccer is rising in popularity among younger generations, further challenging baseball’s standing. Despite declining fan engagement and attendance, Major League Baseball has reported record earnings, highlighting a paradox where increasing money does not align with the sport’s popularity or accessibility. Once considered America’s pastime, baseball is struggling to maintain this status in the current media landscape.
The Decline of America’s Game
Baseball, once revered as America’s national pastime, has seen a significant decline in popularity over the past few decades. The sport’s attendance has been in a steady decline, with the average attendance decreasing by about 20% since 50 years ago. This drop is stark when compared to the rise of other sports like football and basketball, which have captivated the modern audience with their fast-paced action and high-intensity plays.
The increasing speed and demand for instant gratification in society have also hurt baseball’s popularity. In an era where everything is available at the click of a button, the sport’s slow pace and lack of flashy plays make it less appealing to today’s fans. The MLB has made efforts to adapt to these changing times, but it may not be enough to reverse the decline. Many are left wondering how long baseball will survive as a business in this fast-evolving sports landscape.
Small Market Teams Pushed Aside
Baseball is the only professional American sport without a hard salary cap. This ensures small market teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates and their $58-million payroll can compete with behemoths like the New York Yankees or Los Angeles Dodgers, which both have payrolls over $200 million. Each MLB team plays 162 games in a regular season, which can contribute to perceptions of the sport being slow and boring.
Unfortunately, although the higher salaries can bring more superstars to these teams, it doesn’t always mean they’ll be successful. High ticket prices are also contributing to declining fan attendance and engagement, as many fans feel priced out of attending games.
With the current system, small-market teams are being placed on the back burner while the rich teams keep getting richer. Oakland and Kansas City are two franchises that have already been struggling financially. Many ballpark concessions have also become more expensive, adding to the economic challenges faced by teams.
Fans of these franchises and other lesser teams often see local talent being taken away by the big market teams and eventually yield interest when they start to lose. The last small-market team to win a World Series was the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011, and only five have accomplished the feat since 1997.
Fans Aren’t As Patient
Baseball viewership is also declining because of the game itself. The game requires more knowledge and patience than any other sport but lacks the action and physicality of other professional leagues like the NFL.
In addition, the games are slow, and the season is the longest of any other sport with a 162-game schedule. The regular season’s extensive number of games can lead to diminished viewer interest as fans struggle to find urgency in watching these games compared to sports with shorter seasons. Each week, multiple games are played, which can dilute fan excitement and engagement.
There is also less action in today’s MLB, with strikeouts now outnumbering hits. There were about 70% more hits than strikeouts in the 1960s. In 2021, strikeouts far outnumbered the total amount of hits.
The league is experimenting with different rules in the minor league system to help with putting more balls in play and speeding up the game. Of course, this is easier said than done, as pitchers are better than ever and are only throwing harder and becoming more skillful every season. Recent rule changes have aimed to improve the average game duration, which has significantly decreased to enhance fan engagement.
Fans must also spend more time sitting through games that get longer each season. Part of that is contributed to the implementation of instant replay, which delays many games as umpires review videos to make the correct calls after challenges by managers disputing them.
As a result, the average length of a Major League game was three hours and ten minutes in 2021 compared to two hours and 33 minutes in 1960. Despite the critical nature of playoff games, the number of games played in a season impacts viewership and fan attendance, reflecting a broader trend in MLB regarding fan interest.
A Tuesday night game in July struggles to attract fans due to the sport’s slow pace and unpredictable schedule, making it less appealing compared to the excitement of other sports.
Changing Fan Habits and Media Coverage
The way fans consume sports has changed dramatically over the years, with the rise of social media and online streaming platforms. Traditional media coverage, such as radio and television broadcasts, is no longer enough to attract and retain fans. Baseball needs to adapt to this changing media landscape and find new ways to engage with fans, such as through social media and online content.
The MLB has implemented new rule changes, like the pitch clock, to speed up the game and increase scoring. However, these changes may not be enough to appeal to modern fans who crave quick, high-energy entertainment. The sport’s icons, such as Mike Trout, are not as well-known as they once were, and the intensity of the game is not as appealing to the younger generation. To stay relevant, baseball must embrace new media and find innovative ways to capture the attention of today’s audience.
Less Big Stars in MLB
More baseball fans are making the point that the game doesn’t have as many big stars as in the past, making them care less about the players overall. The actual problem could be that the fans aren’t paying attention. ESPN and other sports networks focus more on football and basketball, contributing to this issue.
Many experts consider Mike Trout of the Angels to be the best baseball player in more than fifty years. However, he only has about two million followers on Twitter.
A lot of stars in other sports that don’t compare to his stature have many more, such as NBA star Kyrie Irving who has more than four million followers on the platform. This lack of big stars negatively impacts fan interest, especially among younger generations. Different perspectives on the declining popularity of baseball highlight challenges in maintaining relevance compared to faster-paced sports like football and basketball.
The fact that baseball isn’t big on social media is another reason the sport isn’t popular among young adults. In the past, the biggest baseball stars were household names. Unfortunately, modern stars just don’t command the level of recognition as in other sports, and baseball isn’t sure what it can do to reverse the trend. Opinions on this issue vary among different generations, with some seeing it as a natural shift in interests. Chris Broussard believes that the sport is becoming niche due to its slow pace and lack of excitement compared to faster-paced sports like basketball and football.
Demographic Changes and the Need for Innovation
The demographics of baseball fans are changing, with younger generations showing less interest in the sport. To attract and retain fans, the MLB needs to innovate and find new ways to engage with a diverse audience. This includes leveraging new technologies and marketing strategies to make the sport more appealing.
The MLB has introduced initiatives like the “Let’s Play Ball” program to increase diversity and inclusion in the sport. However, more needs to be done to appeal to women and minorities, who are currently underrepresented in baseball. The sport must focus on speed, action, and entertainment to captivate the next generation of fans. By making these changes, baseball can hope to regain its status as a beloved American pastime.
