MLB and MLB Players Fail Fans
Time for Baseball Fans to Align and Be Heard
Isn’t it ironic that after twenty years of disrespecting fans and taking us for granted we are suddenly important (economically only, of course)? As fans' percentage of revenues declined so did the owners and players respect for us.
Lesson in Baseball Macroeconomics
It turns out that even though baseball has intentionally been able to dilute our fan value down to 40% of revenues we now represent all of the profit margin in the game and now they are fighting over our money.
Who is to blame? Owners or Players?
If you are going to play the blame game…play it right! The answer is the owners AND the players.
Owner greed and absurd player salaries have resulted in exorbitant ticket prices … $6.00 cokes … $5.00 hot dogs … $10.00 beers...$300.00 jerseys. Concession and merchandise prices are hostage fees inflicted upon fans that simply love the game so much that they come despite the obnoxious prices. One of my team’s this year raised my ticket price from $70.00 per ticket to $375.00 per ticket. No, that is not a typo. However, now the ticket includes food and drinks. Exact same location!
What is NOT in the “Best Interests of the Game” or fans:
1. Revenue
2. Exorbitant Player Salaries
3. Destroying the Competitive Balance of the Draft
4. Crushing Minor League Teams
Treating fans right is what is in the “Best Interests of the Game”.
Fan Math
Labor Peace equals both sides price gouging the fans.
Really Three Sides
It is so aggravating to hear the reference to the “TWO” sides. That right there suggests that the fans have been completely overlooked and disregarded while owners and players mismanage the direction and economics of the sport.
Audacity
It is audacious to blame nonsensical things like “pace of play” for the lack of interest from Generation X and Z people. The simple reality is that they are not old enough to have enjoyed a great fan experience before the price gouging commenced. All they have experienced is price gouging and pompous disconnected players. God forbid someone might want an autograph for free. However, REVENUE increased 300% since 1996. A success for everyone except the fans. Baseball’s anti-fan treatment has created this prevailing adverse sentiment and declining attendance syndrome.
75,000,000 70,000,000 65,000,000 Where will this self-inflicted tragedy end?
Playing without fans should be a haunting preview as to what the games will look like if baseball runs off all of the fans. That is the slippery slope that baseball is currently on.
What can baseball claim that they have done for the fans over the past 20 years?
What are my qualifications for having such a clear and concise position on this?
- 33 Year Season Ticket Holder
- 22 Full Season Tickets in Three Cities
- Baseball Essay in the Fan Section of the Baseball Hall of Fame
- Licensee for MLB and MLBPA
- Fortune 500 CFO
- Over 1,000 MLB Games Attended
- Served three years on an MLB team advisory board
Intolerable to Listen to Dispute Over Money
If one player wanted to become a national icon in ten seconds he would simply say “I will play for the compensation level of a frontline caregiver this year so that baseball can help America heal”.
Ill Will of 1994 or Goodwill of 911? What will 2020 be?
Options:
1. Stop killing the golden goose (fans) and become fan centric again before it is too late.
2. Allocate revenue with lingering acrimony between the owners and players so that we can already start dreading the next collective bargaining agreement.
3. Take the year off and come back when you respect and appreciate your fans. #RespectFans2021
I don’t think the fans will gain any respect back until we align. Who represents the fans best interests?
NOBODY
That needs to change. The fans need and deserve a seat at the table!
Visit www.fansalign.com to join a national fan alignment movement.