In the hierarchy of professional and collegiate sports in the United States, Major League Baseball ranks fifth in terms of popularity. Football is king in America and basketball takes the silver medal. Baseball has gradually lost its appeal and consequently, part of its fan base.
Professional baseball’s downhill slide in the U.S. is no more evident than a quick look at television ratings. The MLB All-Star Game peaked in 1970 when it earned a 28.5 and its ratings have declined ever since, according to Thom Loverro of The Atlantic.
The one area in which MLB triumphs over the NFL (7.7 rating) and NBA (5.9 rating) is the All-Star Game, according to Sports Media Watch.
While the MLB All-Star Game draws a larger audience and it’s the only one of the three major All-Star Games to feature any defense, the Midsummer Classic can be even better.
Major League Baseball can be proactive to make changes that will re-energize the All-Star Weekend. The modifications involve the stakes of the game, the voting process and the addition of skills competitions.
According to Sports Media Watch, the past three All-Star Games’ overnight ratings have been the lowest in the history of the game.
The five lowest MLB All-Star Game overnights have taken place within the last decade — 2005 (9.8), 2010 (9.3), 2012 and 2013 (8.1) and 2011 (7.9).
However, MLB doesn’t have to fall victim to this downward trend. It has the most popular All-Star Game in the U.S. and the Midsummer Classic features the best product.
All Major League Baseball needs is the right combination of new All-Star Weekend events and a modification of the All-Star Game’s purpose in order to appeal more to fans and players.