Baseball’s got a problem. Its audience is dying.

With an older and predominantly white audience, is professional baseball’s sustainability in question? The 2020 World Series saw the lowest TV rating in the last 20 years. Yes, the pandemic had something to do with it, but nonetheless, ratings have been in steady decline since the 1970s. Baseball’s fan base is not regenerating, and they need kids. Deline goes on to say, “How do we get [kids] engaged again? Their consumer habits are completely different.”

Games are frustratingly slow, often more than 3.5 hours.  But the real rub is a lack of excitement. Baseball is boring. Especially to the audience that may well represent baseball’s future. Millennials and especially Gen Z just aren’t interested. Only 7% of MLB fans are under 18. The average age of an MLB fan has increased to 57, the oldest among the major sports. For context, the average age for the NBA is 42. 

The league is trying new rules to speed up the game and lower pitching effectiveness, like not using foreign substances to increase spin – no more spitballs. More hitting means more action.

There seems to be a cultural thing going on as well. NBA and NFL players can show emotions and celebrate bringing their personalities to the front where people can engage and connect with the players. MLB players still get reprimanded for a bat flip after a home run. C’mon, no celebrating allowed? What’s that about?

But don’t count out America’s pastime, it will find its legs.Baseball’s got a problem. Its audience is dying. With an older and predominantly white audience, is professional baseball’s sustainability in question? The 2020 World Series saw the lowest TV rating in the last 20 years. Yes, the pandemic had something to do with it, but nonetheless, ratings have been in steady decline since the 1970s. Baseball’s fan base is not regenerating, and they need kids. Deline goes on to say, “How do we get [kids] engaged again? Their consumer habits are completely different.”

Games are frustratingly slow, often more than 3.5 hours.  But the real rub is a lack of excitement. Baseball is boring. Especially to the audience that may well represent baseball’s future. Millennials and especially Gen Z just aren’t interested. Only 7% of MLB fans are under 18. The average age of an MLB fan has increased to 57, the oldest among the major sports. For context, the average age for the NBA is 42. 

The league is trying new rules to speed up the game and lower pitching effectiveness, like using foreign substances to increase spin. More hitting means more action.

There seems to be a cultural thing going on as well. NBA and NFL players can show emotions and celebrate bringing their personalities to the front where people can engage and connect with the players. MLB players still get reprimanded for a bat flip after a home run. C’mon, no celebrating allowed? What’s that about?

But don’t count out America’s pastime, it will find its legs.