MLBTR Podcast: Examining MLB’s Parity Situation – Also, Bellinger, Peralta, Robert, And Gore

Fever, a perfect comparison i recently made was the media model beong adopted…

Now, we can all agree the fact MLB has roughly 10x the games of the NFL puts less premium on the regular season, and, makes it easier to spread around.

But look at the post season.

NFL had one largely irrelevant wildcard came.on prime video. Aside from that, *EVERY* post season game was.and will be carried by local broadcast affiliates, no paywall keeping you from seeing all the other wild cards, all the divisional, all the championship, even the superbowl.

MLB took the opposite approach. All the wild card games require one streaming contract. Then, if youre an NL fan, every NLDS, NLCS game, hidden behind a paywall. With another streaming contract. And if youre an AL fan, its *slightly* better. I say slightly because while Fox owns the ALDS, ALCS, and WS rights, they’ve put those 3 dirty letters alongside – FS1. If other sporting events and series are any guide, certain contests will quite possibly be behind a pay wall with FS1 subscription required.

Many of us at MLBTR are more highly educated, coming from more well off backgrounds – and NOT reflecting the broad crossection of America. Its VERY hard to be an actual fan of MLB compared to other leagues, and, follow your teams to actually see the games without spending $$$$ compared to the alternatives.

And with the financial pressures real America faces, outside the first world problems, spending $300 or $500 a season just to watch the games…

Kids arent following like they used to. Their parents cant waste, yes, waste, the money to buy all these fractured plans so the kid can watch the important game or form connections.

Don’t confuse prop betting thay doesnt require watching the game, but, generates revenue, with growing a fan base.

As for door 1 and door 2 you describe, unfortunately, as i question time remaining and how id wish to have spent it if things dont go my way….Im no longer a door 1 guy. They spend the resources, they put on a product *worth* my time and attention, I’ll watch. But, no, im not longer going to watch a loser in the hopes of seeing the growth of some future gem by the time Henry decides to be willing to spend.

Luckily, theres enough of a good core currently to be woeth watching. But if we were in 2019-2024 all over again? Id do something other than MLB with my time waiting for improvement.