MLB Statistics: Unraveling The Game With Analytics

Insights

Steady Growth: The MLB has experienced a general trend of revenue growth over the period from 2001 to 2019. The revenue has grown from $3.58 billion in 2001 to $10.37 billion in 2019. This suggests a positive trend in the league’s earning capability, likely driven by increased popularity, enhanced marketing, better broadcast deals, merchandise sales, and ticket sales.
Revenue Dip in 2020: There is a significant dip in revenue in 2020, with total revenue falling sharply to $3.66 billion. This decline is notably out of trend and can be attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a shorter season, games played without fans in attendance for much of the season, and other pandemic-related constraints.
Partial Recovery: Following the dip in 2020, revenue has partially recovered in 2021 and 2022, with totals of $9.56 billion and $10.32 billion, respectively. This implies that MLB has been able to start bouncing back from the economic impacts of the pandemic, although the recovery is not yet complete, as the 2022 revenue is slightly below the peak seen in 2019.
CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate): The graph shows an overall upward trend from 2001 to 2019 before the pandemic. Calculating the CAGR between these years would provide a clearer picture of the average annual growth rate over this period.
Average Revenue Per Team: The description mentions that the 2022 total revenue corresponds to an average revenue of $344 million U.S. dollars per team. Assuming the number of teams has remained fairly stable, this provides a useful metric to gauge individual team performance relative to the league average.
World’s Most Profitable Sports Leagues: The note at the bottom of the graph suggests that MLB is one of the most profitable sports leagues globally, with revenues consistently growing year over year (apart from the pandemic year).

Insights

Top Earners: The New York Yankees lead with the highest revenue, generating a total of $657 million in 2022. The Los Angeles Dodgers follow as the second-highest earners with $581 million in revenue for the same year. These two teams are noticeably ahead of the other teams in terms of revenue, suggesting a strong fan base, brand value, and possibly lucrative broadcast and sponsorship deals.
Top Tier: In addition to the Yankees and Dodgers, the Boston Red Sox ($513 million), Chicago Cubs ($451 million), and Atlanta Braves ($425 million) make up the top five revenue-generating teams. All these teams are from large metropolitan areas with long-standing franchise history, which typically contributes to higher revenue through various streams like merchandise sales, ticket sales, and regional sports networks.
Middle Bracket: The middle tier consists of teams that have revenues ranging from just over $400 million to roughly $350 million. This includes teams like the San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and St Louis Cardinals. Their revenue figures are lower than the top-tier teams but still represent a strong financial performance.
Lower Tier: The Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres are at the bottom of the list with $356 million and $324 million, respectively. While still significant amounts, these figures indicate that they generate less revenue than their counterparts. The reasons could include a smaller market size, less successful on-field performance leading to less fan engagement, or less lucrative local TV deals.
Overall Trends: The graph suggests that there is a wide disparity in revenue generation among MLB teams. Teams like the Yankees and Dodgers generate significantly more revenue than others, which could impact their ability to sign top players and invest in better facilities, leading to a more competitive edge.
Potential Implications: The teams with higher revenues may afford higher payrolls for attracting and retaining star players, which can lead to better on-field performances and a stronger competitive position within the league.

Insights

General Upward Trend: Over the entire period, there is a general upward trend in average operating income, with some fluctuations. Starting at $12.54 million in 2005, income rises steadily until reaching a peak at $50.04 million in 2017.
The Great Recession Impact: There are slight income decreases around 2008 and 2009, presumably reflecting the economic impact of the Great Recession. However, the figures recover quickly after that period.
Fluctuations: While there is a general increase over the years, some years show a distinct drop from the prior year, such as the decrease from 2013 to 2014 and from 2017 to 2018. These could be related to various economic factors, changes in MLB policies, fluctuations in revenue or costs, or other external factors like strikes, lockouts, or changes in broadcasting rights and contracts.
Significant Drop in 2020: There is a dramatic decrease in the average operating income to -$60.07 million in 2020, which stands out sharply from the previous years. This is likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a substantial impact on sports leagues globally due to games played without fans, shortened seasons, or complete pauses in play.
Partial Recovery in 2021 and 2022: After 2020’s significant loss, there is a notable recovery in 2021 and 2022, although the operating income has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The average operating income rises to $21.5 million in 2021 and slightly decreases to $17.32 million in 2022.
Variability: It is important to note that these figures are averages, so they may mask variability between different MLB franchises. Some teams might consistently earn more than this average, while others earn less.
2017 as an Outlier: The peak income in 2017 marks it as an outlier compared to other years. It would be beneficial to investigate specific events or factors that contributed to such high profitability during that year.

Insights

Growth Trend: There is a general upward trend in revenue from 2009 to 2022. The gate receipts increased from $2.25 billion in 2009 to $3.13 billion in 2022. This suggests that, overall, there has been growth in ticket sales or possibly an increase in ticket prices, leading to higher revenue.
Yearly Fluctuations: The revenue does not increase every consecutive year. There are some fluctuations observed. For instance, in 2013 the revenue dropped slightly to $2.33 billion from $2.37 billion in 2012. But in the following year, 2014, it bounced back to $2.4 billion.
Significant Increase in 2022: It’s evident that there’s a notable spike in revenue in 2022, jumping from $2.86 billion in the last recorded year (2019) to $3.13 billion. This leap could be attributed to various factors such as pent-up demand (possibly due to limited access or cancelled games in the prior years), increased ticket prices, a successful season with high attendance, or a combination of these factors.
Missing Data for 2020 and 2021: The graph does not include data for 2020 and 2021. This is likely due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which games were cancelled, postponed, or played without fans, causing a significant drop in gate receipt revenue.
Long-term Resilience: Despite the missing years and fluctuations, the overall progression from 2009 to 2022 shows resilience in MLB’s ability to generate gate receipts. The fact that 2022 surpassed the previous high in 2019 by a 9% increase indicates a strong recovery for MLB following any challenges it faced in 2020 and 2021.

Insights

Luxury Tax Payroll Increase: There was a significant increase in luxury tax payroll from $4.52 billion in 2021 to $5.16 billion in 2022. This indicates a substantial growth in salary expenses for teams that are above the threshold set by the league for the luxury tax.
Record Payroll in 2022: The graph notes that the luxury tax payrolls for MLB exceeded five billion U.S. dollars for the first time in 2022. This is a milestone for the league and reflects an increased spending power among the MLB teams.
Increase Amount: The increase from 2021 to 2022 is about $640 million. This could suggest either more teams are willing to exceed the luxury tax threshold or teams that were already above this threshold have further increased their salary obligations.
Team Investment: The rise in luxury tax payroll between these two years could imply that teams are investing more in their players, possibly to secure top talent or retain their key players in an increasingly competitive market.
Economic Recovery Implication: The year-over-year growth could also suggest economic recovery for the sport after potential financial hits due to the COVID-19 pandemic, showing a strong return to or surpassing previous financial investment in team rosters.

Insights

Steven A. Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, is the wealthiest MLB team owner in 2022, with an estimated net worth of approximately $16 billion.
There is a substantial gap between the richest owner (Steven A. Cohen) and the second richest owner (Edward S. Rogers III), whose net worth is around $11.5 billion. This indicates that Steven A. Cohen’s net worth is significantly greater than any other MLB team owner.
Most owners have a net worth that falls between $3 billion and $6.6 billion, suggesting a common wealth range among many of the owners.
The graph shows that there is a mix of individual owners and ownership groups such as Ilitch Holdings, Inc. and the Lerner family.
The owner with the least amount of wealth on this list is John W. Henry (Boston Red Sox), with a net worth of $2.6 billion. However, it is still a considerable amount, emphasizing the high level of wealth necessary to own an MLB team.
The distribution of wealth among MLB team owners varies but isn’t evenly spread out, with the majority clustered in the lower end of the billionaire range compared to the outliers on the higher end.
Notable is that while these figures provide a snapshot of wealth for these owners, it is mentioned in the description that these owners may also have other business interests outside of sports ownership.

Insights

Dominance of the New York Yankees: The New York Yankees lead by a significant margin, with a total of 27 World Series titles. This is more than double the number won by their closest rival in terms of championships, the St. Louis Cardinals.
Top Teams: The top three teams in terms of World Series wins are the New York Yankees (27), St. Louis Cardinals (11), and Boston Red Sox (9), indicating a historical dominance by these franchises.
Consistent Competitors: Alongside the Yankees, Cardinals, and Red Sox, teams like the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants have also been successful over the years, boasting 9 and 8 titles respectively.
A Range of Success: The graph shows a mixture of teams with varying degrees of success. While some teams have enjoyed numerous championships, others have had moderate success with 3 to 7 titles.
Mid-level Champions: The Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and Atlanta Braves have a moderate number of championships, ranging from 5 to 7.
Competitive Balance: The distribution of championships among the teams suggests a fairly competitive league, where many different franchises have had a chance to win the World Series over the years.
Historical Perspective: The description notes that despite their historical success, the Yankees have experienced a drought since their last title in 2009, indicating a potential shift in the competitive landscape within MLB.

Implications

The New York Yankees’ championship success contributes to their recognition as a highly valuable sports brand on a global scale.
Historical performance may influence fan expectations, sponsorship deals, and team branding.
A team’s championship record could impact player recruitment and management strategies, where successful teams might attract top talent looking to be part of a legacy.

Insights

Leading the chart is the Dallas Cowboys, with the highest brand value at approximately $6.5 billion, which makes it the most valuable sports team brand globally in 2022.
American sports teams, specifically from leagues such as the NFL (National Football League) and the NBA (National Basketball Association), are prominent at the top of the list, indicating a high commercial value associated with these sports in the U.S. market.
The New York Yankees, a Major League Baseball (MLB) team, ranks second at around $6 billion, demonstrating the significant value of classic American sports franchises.
Basketball teams also showcase strong brand valuations, with both the New York Knicks and the Golden State Warriors valued above $5.5 billion.
Notably, the list includes international soccer teams Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, with values of approximately $5.1 billion and $5 billion, respectively. This highlights the global appeal and commercial success of top European soccer clubs.
The NFL has multiple entries on the list, with the New England Patriots matching FC Barcelona at a valuation of $5 billion, reinforcing the NFL’s economic impact and popularity.
The overall value of the sports team brands depicted ranges from around $5 billion to $6.5 billion, suggesting that the most valuable teams have sizable economic footprints within the sports industry.
There is a relatively narrow range in brand values among the listed teams, with only a $1.5 billion difference between the most and least valuable teams in this selection, implying a competitive market among the elite sports franchises.

Insights

Steady Growth: The average MLB franchise value has experienced steady growth from 2002 to 2023. In 2002, the average value was $286 million, and by 2023, it had increased more than eightfold to $2,318 million ($2.318 billion). This growth trend showcases the health and commercial expansion of the MLB over this time period.
Accelerating Valuations: The growth rate appears to be accelerating, especially in recent years. For instance, the growth from 2014 to 2023 is significantly more pronounced than the growth from 2002 to 2013, indicating a stronger increase in value in the latter half of the observed time period.
Inflection Points: There appears to be a notable inflection point around the year 2012, where the growth rate picks up more sharply. Between 2011 and 2012, the average value jumped from $605 million to $744 million, a higher year-on-year increase than observed in prior intervals.
No Decline Observed: There are no years in which the average franchise value has decreased from the previous year, which suggests that the MLB has not faced significant financial setbacks, at least in terms of franchise valuations, during this period.
Highest Valued Team: The graph notes that the highest-valued MLB franchise in 2022 was the New York Yankees, with a franchise value of $7.1 billion, significantly higher than the average value. This indicates a large disparity between the highest-valued teams and the average, likely reflecting market size, success, brand recognition, and revenue-generating capabilities of the most successful franchises.
Potential Factors: Various factors could contribute to the increasing values of MLB franchises, including lucrative television deals, expansion of digital media and online streaming, growth in sponsorships, merchandising, revenue from new stadiums, and overall growth in the sports industry.
Implications: The rapid increase in team values implies strong investor confidence in MLB franchises’ profitability and the sport’s enduring appeal to fans. It may also have implications for team operations, player salaries, and negotiations around broadcasting rights.

Insights

The New York Yankees have the highest franchise value at $7.1 billion, significantly ahead of the rest of the field. This highlights their status as one of the most prestigious and financially successful teams in MLB.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox follow, valued at $4.8 billion and $4.5 billion, respectively, indicating strong financial positions, though they are still substantially lower than that of the Yankees.
The values show a decreasing trend as we move down the graph, with franchise values ranging from the multi-billion figures of the top teams to just above $2 billion for the teams at the lower end of the graph.
The Chicago Cubs and the San Francisco Giants round out the top five, valued at $4.1 billion and $3.7 billion, respectively. This spread within the top 5 illustrates a large concentration of value among these elite teams.
There is a substantial gap between the top three teams and the subsequent two, highlighting a significant stratification within the league where a small number of teams have disproportionately high values.
Teams with the lowest franchise values on the graph, like the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, and Chicago White Sox, have values ranging from $2.2 billion to $2.05 billion. This gap suggests that there might be a range of factors such as market size, team performance, and revenue-generating capabilities that contribute to overall franchise valuation.
The description below the graph provides additional context: the overall revenue for MLB in 2022 was over $10 billion, averaging $344 million per team. However, the franchise value has seen immense growth since 2004 when the average was $2.32 billion, demonstrating the substantial financial growth of the league over time.
It’s also mentioned that the Miami Marlins were the least valuable franchise at $1 billion, which is not shown on the graph but is an important point to consider when comparing the full range of team values in MLB.

Insights

Growth Trend: There is a clear upward trend in MLB sponsorship revenue over the 14-year span. Starting at $548 million in 2010, there is consistent year-on-year growth, with revenue more than doubling by 2023.
COVID-19 Impact: There is a noticeable anomaly in the pattern in 2020, marked with an asterisk and denoted by a significantly higher bar than the previous year. The graph denotes this year as the COVID-shortened season, which may imply that the usual revenue streams were affected unusual patterns in sponsorship deals, possibly including renegotiations, deferments, or one-time compensation events.
Major Increase in 2023: MLB sponsorship revenue saw a substantial increase in 2023, reaching $1.5 billion, which represents a jump of more than 23 percent from the previous year. This substantial increase could indicate a rebound from pandemic-related impacts or the culmination of successful long-term strategies to grow sponsorship revenue.
Steady Progression: Apart from the abnormal spike in 2020, the increase in revenue each year appears somewhat steady, without any major declines. This suggests a strong and stable market for MLB sponsorships with continuous interest and investment from sponsors.
A Decade of Growth: Comparing 2010 to 2019, before the abnormality in 2020, sponsorship revenue increased by a little over 81%. This steady growth exemplifies the increasing commercial value of MLB over time.

Insights

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels tops the list, with a combined income from salary and endorsements at approximately $70 million.
Endorsement earnings play a significant role in the total income for several players. While Ohtani has a remarkable $40 million in endorsements, making up more than half of his total income, other players like Aaron Judge and Mike Trout also benefit substantially from endorsements, earning $4 million and $5 million respectively from such deals.
Max Scherzer of the New York Mets has the highest salary at $58.33 million, outpacing his teammate Justin Verlander, who has a salary of $43.3 million, combined with $1 million from endorsements.
The New York Mets and Los Angeles Angels have multiple players on the list, indicating significant investment in player salaries for these franchises. This could be reflective of their financial strategies and commitment to securing top talent for their rosters.
There is a notable disparity between salary earnings and endorsement earnings for most players. For the majority of the players on this list, salary constitutes the bulk of their income, with endorsements being a smaller addition.
The graph also suggests a relatively narrow range of endorsement deals among the highest-paid players. With the exception of Ohtani, endorsement figures range from $0.2 million to $5 million, indicating that off-field earning potential could be concentrated within a reasonably small margin for top MLB players.
Among the top earners, salary is the predominant factor contributing to their position on the list. This demonstrates the primary value of contract negotiations over endorsement opportunities when it comes to a player’s financial gains in the MLB.
At the lower end, Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals has earnings from salary at $33.6 million with a negligible $0.2 million from endorsements. This suggests that not all top-earning players have equally lucrative endorsement deals, which could be due to various factors such as marketability, personal branding, or team visibility.

Insights

Miguel Cabrera Leads: Miguel Cabrera stands out as the player with the highest cumulative earnings, totaling an impressive $353.19 million. The description notes he is nicknamed “Miggy” and has played for the Detroit Tigers since 2008. His substantial lead suggests a long and successful career with lucrative contracts.
$200 Million Club: There is a distinct group of players who have earned over $200 million in their careers—Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, and Clayton Kershaw. This puts them in an elite financial bracket within the sport.
Close Earnings among Top Earners: Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke have earnings within 10 percent of each other, suggesting that they might have had similar contract conditions or career durations at this level of play.
Difference in Earnings: There is a notable drop in earnings after the top four players, with David Price being the fifth-highest earner at about $248.04 million. This signals a significant difference in earning potential even among the highest earners, which could be influenced by factors like playing position, individual performance, contract negotiation skills, and team budgets.
Top Pitchers: Many of the top earners are pitchers (Verlander, Greinke, Kershaw, Price, Scherzer, Wainwright, and Strasburg), which indicates that pitchers in MLB are often among the highest-paid players, likely due to the pivotal role they play in the game and their ability to influence the outcome of matches.
Outliers: Mike Trout, an outfielder, and Joey Votto, a first baseman, are the non-pitchers besides Miguel Cabrera in the top ten list. The presence of position players among the highest earners showcases the value placed on high-performing athletes across different playing positions.
Earnings Distribution: The distribution of earnings among the listed players is not uniform. The gap between the top earner (Cabrera) and the lowest on the list (Strasburg) is vast, which may reflect the varying lengths of careers, individual achievements, and the timing of their respective peaks in the sport.

Insights

Top Earners: Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are the top earners, each with a salary of $43.33 million for the year. This indicates a shared position as the highest-paid players in MLB for 2023.
Salary Distribution: There’s a noticeable decrease from the top salaries to the lowest ones in the list. Although there’s a significant drop after the second position, the salaries remain relatively high, with the lowest salary among the listed players being $30 million for Jacob deGrom.
$40 Million Club: Only three players listed (Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Aaron Judge) have salaries at or above $40 million, which could be considered an elite salary bracket within MLB.
Mid-Tier Salaries: Players like Gerrit Cole, Corey Seager, and Nolan Arenado have mid-tier salaries within this group, ranging from $35 to $36 million.
Comparative Analysis: The distribution suggests a relatively competitive salary range. While the top earners are in a league of their own, most of the other players listed have salaries within a $13 million range ($30 to $43 million), suggesting a high but somewhat clustered earning potential for star MLB players.
Economic Implications: The high salaries reflect the economic status of MLB as a league capable of supporting high player salaries, which likely correlates with substantial revenue from ticket sales, broadcasting rights, merchandising, and sponsorships.
Player Value: The salaries may imply the value teams place on these players in terms of their skill, ability to draw fans, and contribution to the team’s success. Star players like those listed can command such salaries due to their expected impact on the field.
Career Considerations: This snapshot does not indicate the length of each player’s contract or their age, which are important factors in understanding the career stage and future earning potential of each individual.

Insights

Steady Increase Over Time: There has been a consistent upward trend in the minimum salary for MLB players over the two-decade span. The graph shows that the minimum salary has more than doubled, from $300,000 in 2003 to $720,000 in 2023.
Rapid Growth Periods: While the overall trend is upward, there are periods where the salary growth appears more rapid, such as from 2006 to 2007 and 2013 to 2014. From 2022 to 2023, there is a notable spike from $700,000 to $720,000, indicating a significant increase.
Slower Growth Intervals: Conversely, there are periods where the salary increase is less steep or stagnant. For example, from 2014 to 2016, the minimum salary increased by only $7,500 each year. A similar slow growth can be observed between 2019 and 2021.
Economic Factors: The steady rise in minimum salaries may reflect the overall economic inflation as well as the increased revenue and financial health within MLB. It also indicates a possible growth in the value placed on professional athletes over time due to the sport’s profitability.
Impact on Players: For rookie players or those under minimum contracts, the increase in minimum salary represents a boost in their earnings and possibly better financial security as they begin or continue their professional careers.
Negotiation and Agreements: Changes in the salary could be the result of collective bargaining agreements between the players’ union and league owners, with jumps in salary often coinciding with new contracts or amendments to existing agreements.
Comparative Analysis: Comparing this information to broader economic indicators, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), would be necessary to determine if the growth in MLB minimum salaries outpaces or matches inflation rates over the same time period.

Insights

Gradual Increase Over Time: There is a clear trend of increasing thresholds from 2017 through 2023. The CBT threshold began at $195 million in 2017 and has increased each year to reach $233 million by 2023. This trend suggests that there is a measured effort to allow for higher payrolls over time, possibly reflecting economic factors such as inflation or a conscious decision by MLB to allow teams more financial flexibility.
Yearly Increases: The threshold does not increase uniformly. For example, the increase from 2017 to 2018 is $2 million, which is the smallest year-over-year increase visualized in the graph. The largest increase is between 2022 and 2023, from $230 million to $233 million, an increase of $3 million.
Steady Growth Pattern: The growth is steady rather than sporadic or decreasing. There are no years where the threshold decreases or remains the same; it consistently grows, indicating a stable economic environment for MLB teams, where payroll budgets can be planned with an expectation of incremental increase.

Implications

Teams in MLB can expect to have more room for player salaries each year without incurring the Competitive Balance Tax. This could potentially lead to more aggressive signings or contract renewals as teams aim to maximize their talent within the increasing thresholds.
The regular increase in the CBT threshold may indirectly contribute to player salary inflation, as the market adjusts to the understanding that teams have more leeway to offer higher wages.
For teams that are close to the CBT threshold, having this foresight allows for long-term planning and budget adjustments in anticipation of the yearly increases.

Insights

New York Mets have the highest payroll: At the very top, the New York Mets stand out with the highest opening day payroll, amounting to approximately $353.55 million. This illustrates a significant investment in their player roster for the 2023 season.
Top Spenders: Following the Mets are the New York Yankees with $277 million, the San Diego Padres with $249 million, and the Philadelphia Phillies with around $243.01 million. This indicates that these teams are among the highest spenders in the league, which could be reflective of their market size, revenue capabilities, or competitive strategies.
Mid-Range Payrolls: Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, and Atlanta Braves have payrolls in the $200 million range, suggesting a moderate level of investment compared to the highest spenders.
Payroll Variation: There is a significant variation in payroll across the teams. While the New York Mets show a notably high level of spending, other teams, by comparison, have chosen or are constrained to more modest payrolls.
Lower End: On the lower end of the scale, the St. Louis Cardinals are shown to have a payroll of approximately $175.64 million. Not shown on the graph, but mentioned in the description, are the Oakland Athletics with an opening day payroll under $57 million, indicating a vastly different financial strategy or capability than the Mets.
Competitive Implications: The data may suggest correlations between financial spending and competitive success, though it’s crucial to note that a higher payroll does not always translate to better performance on the field. There are many factors that impact a team’s success over the course of a season.
Economic Factors: Payroll figures like these can serve as indicators of the economic state and revenue-generating power of the teams. Larger market teams, or those with deeper pockets, may have more financial flexibility to attract and retain high-caliber players.

Insights

Overall Player Increase: There is a notable growth in the total number of players over the period, with 856 players in 2013 and peaking to 975 in 2022, before slightly dropping to 945 in 2023. This could indicate an expansion in the league’s size, increasing roster spots, or variations in roster rules allowing more players.
US vs. International Player Trends: The number of US players generally trend higher than international players each year. However, the gap seems to be closing over time, with international presence growing steadily.
Peaks and Fluctuations: The largest total number of players occurred in 2022 (975 players), and the graph shows fluctuations year-to-year. The year 2016 shows a slight dip in the number of US players, which isn’t followed by a corresponding increase in international players. This suggests other factors contributed to the smaller roster sizes that year.
Notable Increase in International Players: There has been a steady rise in the number of international players, from 224 in 2014 peaking to 291 in 2021, suggesting MLB’s increasing globalization and the sport’s growing appeal and talent outreach beyond the United States.
Recent Decrease: In 2023, there is a slight decline to 945 players from the previous year, with a reduction on both the US and international sides. This could be the result of changes in league policies, roster size regulations, or other external factors not specified on the graph.
The asterisk on 2022’s data: The 2022 data point is marked with an asterisk, which commonly indicates there is a special consideration or caveat related to that year’s data. However, without additional context provided in the visible description, the reason remains unclear.
Notable Representations: The description notes that the Dominican Republic is the most represented among international territories in 2023, indicating the country’s significant contribution to MLB’s player base.

Insights

Age Bracket Considerations: The description at the bottom of the graph mentions that the prime of a player’s career in MLB is typically between 26 to 30 years old. Teams prefer players in this age range as they are expected to be at the peak of their physical and athletic ability.
Geriatrics and Pediatrics of MLB: The Los Angeles Dodgers have the oldest average age at 30.2 years, suggesting a potentially more seasoned, veteran lineup that may be geared towards ‘win-now’ strategies. Conversely, the Chicago Cubs, with the youngest average at 28.4 years, might have a greater focus on development and long-term growth, possibly pointing towards a rebuild phase or a younger talent core.
Cluster of Competitiveness: Several teams, including the San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, and the St. Louis Cardinals, have an average age very close to 29.5 years, snugly within the range considered prime for MLB players. This could mean that these teams have a good mix of experience and youth that could be advantageous during the season.
Narrow Age Spectrum: The range in average team ages is relatively tight, spanning only about 1.8 years from the youngest to the oldest. This narrow spread suggests that teams might be following a league-wide trend, valuing players within the prime age bracket for their physical capabilities and perhaps balancing this with the need for veteran leadership and the development of younger talent.
Teams within Prime Range: Most of the teams have average ages comfortably within the 26 to 30-year-old prime range. This choice can be associated with teams striving to optimize the players’ performance window, suggesting most of the league is attempting to field teams that can compete effectively in the current season.
Small Variations: Small variations in average age can result from several factors, such as the team’s strategy around roster construction, recent trades, free agency decisions, or the promotion of minor league talents. The trends in age can also impact team dynamics, clubhouse culture, and the mentoring of younger players by veterans.
High-End of Range: Teams at the high end of the age range may face impending challenges with player retirements and succession planning, requiring them to consider rejuvenating the team with younger talent over the coming seasons.

Insights

Viewership Decline Over Time: There is a clear downward trend in viewership over the observed period. From an average of 24.31 million viewers in 2000, the number drops to 11.8 million in 2022. This might suggest a decreasing national interest in the World Series or a shift in viewer behavior, such as the move from traditional TV to other forms of media consumption.
Highest and Lowest Viewerships: The peak viewership occurred in 2004 with 25.47 million viewers, and the lowest was in 2020 with 9.94 million. The high in 2004 could be due to a particularly compelling World Series matchup or other factors that year that increased interest. The 2020 dip could potentially be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which might have disrupted normal viewing patterns or reduced interest due to the absence of fans in the stadiums.
Gradual Decline with Fluctuations: Besides the overall downward trend, there are fluctuations in viewership from year to year. For instance, there’s a notable increase from 2021 to 2022, which suggests viewership can be impacted by various factors, such as the popularity of the teams involved, the competitiveness of the Series, or external events.
Backbone Years: The years immediately following 2004 show a notable and consistent drop until 2007, followed by a period of relative stability from 2008 to 2012 where viewership stays mainly between 14.22 and 19.33 million. From 2012 onwards, there’s a more consistent decline.
Impactful Events: The description mentions the 2022 World Series, where the Houston Astros won their second World Series title. Despite this, the average viewership was only 11.8 million, relatively low compared to earlier years. This points towards a broader trend that might not be purely based on the sport’s performance but could involve many other factors affecting viewers’ choices.
Possible Contributing Factors: Some potential factors affecting TV viewership might include the rise of online streaming services, changes in demographics and viewer preferences, the increasing popularity of other sports, or the rise of on-demand and short-form content over traditional live broadcasts.
Interpretation Challenges: It’s important to note that viewership figures alone do not tell the whole story about the popularity or health of the sport. Other revenue sources, such as online streaming, in-person attendance, merchandising, and international viewership, also play significant roles in understanding the overall interest in MLB.

Insights

Overall Decline: There is a general downward trend in the average TV ratings over the 23-year period depicted. The highest rating is observed in 2004 at 15.88, while the lowest is in 2022 at 6.1. This suggests a significant reduction in television viewership for the World Series.
Peak and Trough: The ratings peak in the early 2000s, with 2004 standing out, indicating a high level of interest during that period. Contrastingly, the trough occurs in the most recent year on record, 2022, which could be reflective of changing viewing habits, such as a shift toward digital platforms.
Significant Drops: A noticeable drop occurs after 2004, where ratings slipped from the peak of 15.88 down to 10.1 in 2006. Another significant reduction is visible after 2011, where the ratings go from 10.68 down to 7.6 in 2012.
Fluctuations and Stability: Despite the overall decline, the graph shows some years where the ratings slightly increased or stabilized. For instance, between 2010 and 2011, ratings increased from 8.38 to 10.68, and again from 2018 to 2019 where ratings went from 8.1 to 10.7.
Contextual Influence: It’s worth considering broader changes in media consumption when interpreting this data. The decrease in TV ratings does not necessarily mean a decrease in total viewership, as modern audiences have a multitude of viewing options beyond traditional TV.
Recent Years Decline: In the last five years of the data, there is a stark decline, most notably between 2019 and 2020. Ratings fall from 10.7 to a historic low of 5.2, potentially influenced by the global pandemic beginning in 2020, which may have impacted viewing habits significantly.
The 2022 Context: The description notes that the Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in a six-game series in 2022, and despite the victory, the rating was 6.1, the lowest on the graph. This could be indicative of a broader decline in traditional TV viewership or possibly a lack of nationwide interest in the specific matchup.

Implications

Shift to Digital: The consistent decline could suggest that viewers are increasingly shifting to digital streaming services or other methods of consuming baseball content, not captured by traditional TV ratings.
Baseball’s Popularity: While these ratings specifically reflect the viewership of the World Series, they might also be symptomatic of the sport’s overall standing among viewers, particularly when compared to other sports and entertainment options.
Media Strategies: For MLB and broadcasters, these figures might prompt strategies to recapture audience attention, whether through marketing, broadcasting games on different platforms, or enhancing the viewing experience to adapt to modern consumer preferences.

Insights

Fox Leads in Value: The graph shows that Fox has the highest annual value at $755 million, which indicates that it is the largest contributor to the MLB’s television deal revenues among the mentioned networks.
ESPN is Second: ESPN’s deal with the MLB is valued at $550 million per year. This is significantly less than Fox’s deal but still represents a substantial investment by the sports network.
TBS Holds Minor Share: TBS contributes $535 million, the lowest among the three networks shown. Despite being the smallest amount, it is still a considerable investment.
Total Revenue: The total value of the deals for the 2022 season is $1.84 billion annually, aggregating the contributions from each network. This total indicates strong revenue from television rights for MLB.

Implications

Media Investment in MLB: The fact that three major networks are investing significant amounts into MLB broadcasting rights suggests that there is confidence in the sport’s ability to draw viewers and, in turn, advertising revenue.
Network Strategy: The differing values reflect the strategic importance each network places on MLB content. Fox’s larger investment might imply a broader audience reach, more airtime devoted to games, or exclusive rights to more lucrative matchups or events such as the World Series.
MLB’s Popularity: Despite what might be perceived as a decline in traditional television viewership, the high value of these TV deals indicates that MLB content is still considered a valuable asset for television networks.
Future of Broadcast Rights: With these high values in MLB television deals, it could foreshadow continued or increased costs for broadcast rights in sports as networks aim to secure premium content.
Contextual Considerations: The description mentions that these deals were negotiated after the previous eight-year agreements expired, and came ahead of the 2022 season. This context is important, as it reflects a renewal and potentially an up-to-date valuation of MLB’s broadcast rights.

Insights

Initial Growth Followed by Fluctuation: There’s an initial viewership increase from 2010 at 3.23 million to a peak in 2017 at 3.62 million viewers. After 2017, viewership fluctuates, showing some variability year to year.
Notable Drops in Viewership: The graph shows a significant decline in viewership in 2020 to 1.19 million viewers and 2021 to 0.66 million viewers. The asterisk next to 2021 could indicate a special circumstance—according to the note, the originally scheduled game for 2021 (Mets-Nationals) was postponed, which may have affected viewership numbers significantly.
Record Peak in 2020: There was a noticeable peak in 2020, with viewership soaring to 4.01 million viewers. This spike represents the highest viewership on the graph and might be attributed to unique circumstances, such as the impact of the pandemic on sports viewership.
Recovery in 2023: The viewership in 2023 shows a recovery from the previous two years, with 1.64 million viewers tuning in. This is still below the viewership levels seen before 2020 but suggests a positive turnaround from the dip in 2020 and 2021.

Implications

Pandemic Influence: The viewership trends might be influenced by the global pandemic, especially considering the drop in 2020 and 2021. Changes in viewership could reflect shifts in consumer behavior and interruptions to regular sports scheduling due to COVID-19.
Competition and Alternatives: The fluctuation in viewership over the years may also reflect increased competition from other entertainment sources or alternative ways of following the game, such as online streaming or following via social media.
Recovery and Resilience: The partial recovery in viewership in 2023 suggests resilience in the audience’s interest in MLB Opening Night, indicating that while viewership can vary due to various factors, there remains a solid fanbase for baseball.
Special Events and Matchups: Particular games, matchups, and events could significantly impact viewership. For example, the peak in 2020 suggests that specific conditions or marquee matchups might have contributed to the exceptional viewership numbers.

Contextual considerations

The graph would benefit from contextual information about the games each year, like matchups and any extraordinary circumstances. Such information could provide insights into what drove the spikes and drops in viewership.
External factors such as changing consumer habits, the rise of streaming platforms, and other leisure activities might also play a role in the yearly changes, but such factors cannot be conclusively drawn from this graph alone.

Insights

Yankee Stadium Costs Stand Out: The construction cost of Yankee Stadium, home to the New York Yankees and built in 2009, is significantly higher than any other stadium on the list, at $2.538 billion. This is substantially more than the second-ranked Nationals Park, which cost $846 million.
Wide Range in Costs: There is a wide range of construction costs represented, from the extremely high costs of Yankee Stadium to the more moderate costs of stadiums like PNC Park and Minute Maid Park, which are at the lower end of the spectrum at $350 million and $344 million, respectively.
No Correlation with Time: The construction year of the stadiums does not appear to have a strong correlation with cost. Although Yankee Stadium is an outlier in 2009, other stadiums built in the same decade, such as Citi Field (2009) and Target Field (2010), are much less expensive. This suggests that factors other than time, such as location, design, materials, and economic conditions, play a critical role in determining construction costs.
Incremental Increase in Costs: While there isn’t a chronological trend, there appears to be a general incremental increase in costs over time. For instance, stadiums built in the early 2000s, like Comerica Park and Great American Ball Park, cost relatively less compared to those built afterwards, such as Citi Field and Marlins Park.
Notable High-Cost Stadiums: Besides Yankee Stadium, Nationals Park and Citi Field also stand out as being particularly expensive, with costs exceeding $800 million and $600 million respectively.

Implications and considerations

Market and Location Influence: The location and market size may have a considerable impact on the costs, with stadiums in larger markets such as New York potentially incurring higher costs due to factors like real estate prices, labor costs, and market demand.
Design and Features: The graph might reflect differences in design complexity and the range of modern amenities or features included in newer stadiums, which can substantially raise costs.
Economic Conditions: Fluctuating material costs, labor rates, and economic conditions at the time of construction could influence the overall costs of stadium construction.
Financing and Investment: The investment decisions and financing arrangements for each stadium could affect the total cost. This may include public funding, private investment, and the extent to which external infrastructure improvements are factored into the overall cost.
Stadium Utilization: While not depicted on this graph, stadiums with higher costs might also aim for multi-purpose use or incorporate additional revenue-generating facilities, which could justify the higher initial outlay.

Insights

Declining Trend in Attendance: There appears to be a general declining trend in attendance from a peak around 2007 to a significant drop in later years. Specifically, attendance peaked at 79.6 million in 2007 and has generally trended downwards since.
Sharp Decline in 2020: A notable sharp decline occurred in 2020, with attendance dropping to an unprecedented low of 45.28 million. This can very likely be attributed to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which led to restrictions on large gatherings, limited capacity at events, or complete cancellation of games.
Recovery in Attendance Post-2020: Post-2020, there is a visible recovery in attendance figures, with 2023 attendance reaching 66.2 million, though this is still not back to the pre-pandemic levels.
Stable Attendance prior to 2020: Before the sharp dip in 2020, attendance figures are more stable, averaging around the mid-70 million range, despite the overall gradual decline.

Implications and considerations

Pandemic Impact: The extreme drop in 2020 clearly highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical events, and even as restrictions have eased, the MLB has not fully bounced back to pre-pandemic attendance levels, which could suggest lasting changes in consumer behavior, ongoing capacity restrictions, or lingering public health concerns.
Gradual Decline Requires Attention: The declining trend even before the pandemic may warrant attention from MLB stakeholders, suggesting a need to investigate the underlying causes—whether it’s due to changing consumer preferences, competitive entertainment options, or other factors.
Potential Recovery: The uptick in attendance from 2020 to 2023 suggests a positive trend towards recovery, but it remains to be seen whether MLB can return to or exceed previous attendance figures.
Marketing and Engagement Efforts: MLB and its teams might need to focus on marketing and fan engagement strategies to attract audiences back to the stadiums, possibly through promotions, enhanced game-day experiences, or leveraging digital platforms to create interest.
Economic Indicators: The fluctuating attendance might also serve as a macroeconomic indicator of discretionary spending, reflecting broader economic trends that can impact leisure activities like sports events.

Insights

Stability with Minor Fluctuations: Over the period from 2005 to 2019, MLB teams experienced relatively stable home attendance figures, maintaining averages primarily in the range of roughly 2.4 to 2.5 million.
Peak Attendance: The highest average attendance occurred in 2007, with a peak at about 2.65 million attendees per team. This suggests that the 2007 season was particularly popular or that external conditions were favorable for attracting fans to the ballpark.
Gradual Decline: There is a perceptible pattern of gradual decline in attendance from the peak in 2007 to 2019, with figures decreasing from the high of 2.65 million to around 2.28 million by 2019, the latter also being the lowest point before the extraordinary drop in 2021.
The Impact of COVID-19: A sharp decline in attendance is observed in 2021, where the average attendance dramatically falls to approximately 1.51 million per team. This significant drop is a direct consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of containment measures, such as capacity restrictions or outright cancellations of events, which greatly limited public gatherings.
Recovery in 2022: In 2022, there is a recovery from the previous year’s low, with the average home attendance rising to 2.15 million per team. While this is an improvement, it is still lower than any year from 2005 to 2019, indicating a potentially ongoing impact from the pandemic or other factors affecting the attendance rates.
Overall Downward Trend: It is notable that even before the pandemic, there was a slight but steady downward trend in attendance from the peak in 2007. Post-pandemic attendance levels haven’t returned to pre-pandemic figures, continuing the trend.

Insights

Period of Relative Stability: From 2009 to 2017, MLB’s average attendance per game has been relatively stable but shows a slight downward trend. The numbers range from a high of 30,324 in 2009 to a lower but still close 30,023 in 2017. This suggests that there was consistent fan turnout with minor annual variability.
Downward Trend: Starting from 2017 onwards, there is a clear downward trend in average attendance. From 2017 to 2019, the figures dropped from 30,023 to 28,317, indicating a gradual decline in fan attendance over these years.
Significant Drop in 2021: There is a drastic drop in 2021, where the average attendance went down to 18,900. This represents a substantial decrease from the previous year (2019) and is the lowest attendance figure seen on the graph. This dramatic decline is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which there were various restrictions on in-person attendance to prevent the spread of the virus.
Partial Recovery in 2022: In 2022, there is an increase from the extremely low attendance of 2021, with an average attendance of 26,808. However, the 2022 average is still lower than any year from 2009 to 2019, suggesting that the effects of the pandemic were still being felt, or there may have been other factors at play that kept attendance numbers below pre-pandemic levels.
Impact of Pandemic: The pattern between 2021 and 2022 indicates that while MLB has started to recover from the pandemic-era restrictions, it has not yet fully bounced back to its pre-COVID attendance figures.

Insights

Avid fans are the most likely to consider MLB games too long. About 54% of avid fans believe that MLB games are too long, which is the highest percentage among all groups surveyed. This is an interesting finding, as one might assume avid fans would appreciate longer games. This could be interpreted as a sign that even the most dedicated viewers are experiencing viewer fatigue due to the length of the games.
Among the general population, opinions are almost evenly split, with 37% of respondents believing MLB games are too long, 38% disagreeing, and 25% indicating that they don’t know or have no opinion.
Non fans – those who do not follow sports – are least likely to think that MLB games are too long, with only 26% in agreement. However, a significant portion of non-fans (47%) do not have an opinion on the subject, which is consistent with their general disinterest in sports.
Sports fans (who are not necessarily MLB fans) are more divided on the subject, with 44% stating that games are too long and 43% stating that they are not. This near even split shows that general sports enthusiasts do not have a strong consensus on MLB game lengths.
Casual fans – those who might watch games but not regularly – have a significant number of respondents, 46%, who do not have a strong opinion on game length. This suggests a potential disengagement or lack of interest in the details of the game experience among this group.
The ‘No’ responses increase when moving from the ‘General population’ to ‘Sports fan’ to ‘Non fan,’ indicating that as individuals become less interested in sports, they are less likely to view the length of games as an issue.

Insights

Boston Red Sox as the most expensive experience: The FCI for the Boston Red Sox is the highest on the chart at $396.16. This suggests that attending a game as a family at Fenway Park would be the costliest compared to other teams’ venues.
New York Yankees and Houston Astros follow closely: Just behind the Red Sox are the New York Yankees ($376.54) and the Houston Astros ($368.87), indicating that these franchises also have a relatively high cost of attendance, which could be reflective of their market size, popularity, or stadium experiences.
Top five teams substantially above average: The top five teams, which include the Chicago Cubs ($350.16) and the Los Angeles Dodgers ($345.37), all have an FCI significantly above the MLB league average of $266.58. This creates a clear delineation between the teams with the highest costs for fans and the rest of the league.
New York Mets around the league average: Interestingly, the New York Mets have an FCI ($266.1) that is almost precisely at the MLB league average, suggesting a typical cost experience relative to the entire league.
A considerable range in the FCI: The index values range from $396.16 at the highest to the lowest team not visible on the chart. This wide range indicates a substantial variability in the cost of attending games across different MLB teams.
Market factors and team performance: Without specific context on individual team circumstances, we could infer that market size, cost of living in the location, team performance, and fan loyalty could all be factors contributing to the variation in FCI.
Economic implications for fans: Families budgeting for a day at the ballpark need to consider these costs, as the price for attending games can significantly differ depending on the team and location.
Revenue implications for teams: Teams with a higher FCI may generate more revenue from in-stadium sales, which could be used to reinvest in the team or enhance the stadium experience. Conversely, teams with a lower FCI might have to find other ways to generate revenue or cater to a different demographic.
Policy and pricing strategy: Teams might utilize this information to adjust their pricing strategies to gain a competitive edge or increase accessibility for families, depending on their market position and business goals.

Insights

Overall Trend: There is a general upward trend in the price of MLB tickets over the period shown. The average ticket price has increased from $22.21 in 2006 to $37 in 2023.
Increment Pattern: The increase in ticket prices each year is not uniform. From 2006 to 2012, the increases were relatively modest. In contrast, there are more substantial rises observed from 2013 onwards.
Major Increases: The most significant jumps in average ticket prices appear to happen between the following years:
2012 to 2013: Price increased from $26.98 to $27.48, which is a smaller increment compared to subsequent years.
2014 to 2015: Price increased from $27.93 to $29.94, a significant jump of over $2.
2019 to 2020: Price increased from $32.99 to $34.04, slightly over $1 increase.
2021 to 2022: Price increased from $34.21 to $35.93, a substantial rise of around $1.7.
The highest recorded price is $37 in 2023, reflecting another increase from the previous year.
Steady Growth Post-2014: After 2014, the price continues to rise at a consistently higher rate than seen in the early years of the dataset.
Price Doubling: Between 2006 and 2023, the average ticket price has nearly doubled, rising by approximately $14.79 which represents a significant cost increase for MLB game attendees over a span of 17 years.
Possible Causes: The data does not provide reasons for the price increases, but they could be due to a variety of factors such as inflation, increased operating costs, higher demand, improvements in stadiums, or changes in the perceived value of the game experience.
Economic Implications: Rising ticket prices might impact attendance patterns, with potential implications for the accessibility of games to a broader demographic. Higher costs could present barriers for some fans, while others may be willing to pay more for the enhanced experience.
Absence of Data: There are no data points for the years 2017 and 2023. Whether this is due to a lack of data or an intentional omission is not clear from the graph provided.
Stability in Recent Years: Despite a steady increase, the rate of change in the last few years (2020 to 2023) appears to be slightly more stable with smaller increments compared to the jump between 2014 and 2015.

Insights

Top-Priced Teams:
The Los Angeles Dodgers have the highest average ticket price at $209.
The New York Yankees follow with a ticket price of $186.
The Boston Red Sox are the third most expensive, with an average ticket price of $170.
Middle Range:
Teams like the San Francisco Giants ($144), Chicago Cubs ($141), and the St. Louis Cardinals ($140) offer their tickets in the mid-price range, suggesting a moderate approach to pricing.
Lower-Priced Teams:
The Washington Nationals have the lowest average ticket price at $107.
Alongside the Nationals, the Toronto Blue Jays ($110) and Chicago White Sox ($113) offer some of the most affordable pricing options for their games.
Close Pricing Tiers:
Several teams have ticket prices clustered closely together, such as the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers both at $131, indicating a possible pricing tier or market segment within the league.
Market Factors:
Teams with higher ticket prices are usually from larger markets or have a strong competitive or historical presence in the league (e.g., Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox).
Lower ticket prices might reflect smaller market sizes, lower demand, or strategic pricing to attract more fans.
Economic Implications:
The range of ticket prices shows the economic diversity within the league, catering to various audiences and market conditions.
Fans in cities with higher average ticket prices might have a higher income level or willingness to pay for sports entertainment. Conversely, more affordable ticket prices in other cities might be intended to ensure accessibility to a wider fan base.
Potential Anomalies:
If a team with a lower average ticket price tends to be very successful on the field, it could suggest that the team is pricing tickets lower to build fan loyalty or due to a recently competitive market.
Revenue Considerations:
Teams with higher ticket prices could potentially generate more revenue per game, assuming the stadiums are filled to a similar capacity compared to teams with lower ticket prices. However, this is just one aspect of overall revenue, which also includes merchandise, concessions, and broadcasting rights.

Insights

Overall Trend:
All three items – beer, soft drink, and hot dog – exhibit a general trend of increasing prices across the examined time period, which is consistent with inflation and rising costs of goods and services over time.
Comparison of Pricing Trends:
Beer has consistently been the most expensive item amongst the three. Its price has increased from about $5.00 in 2010 to nearly $7.00 in 2023.
The price increase for soft drinks and hot dogs has been less pronounced compared to beer. Soft drinks have increased from just under $3.00 to approximately $4.00, while hot dogs have gone from around $3.00 to over $5.00 in the same period.
Price Stability and Fluctuations:
The price of hot dogs shows steady increments with time, hinting at a stable pricing strategy or consistent cost increases for the item.
Soft drink prices also show a steady, although smaller, upward trajectory.
Beer prices appear to demonstrate slightly more variation year over year, potentially indicating that beer pricing could be more responsive to market factors or more elastic in terms of pricing power.
Noteworthy Observations:
There seems to be a notable price increase around 2013 for beer and soft drinks, where the jump is more pronounced compared to other years.
The year 2020 does not show any change in prices from 2019, which might be associated with the global COVID-19 pandemic impact when games were played with limited or no fans, potentially altering usual price adjustment strategies.
Specific Data Points:
In 2023, the average price for a hot dog at MLB games stands at $5.32, while the average price for a beer is $6.98. This indicates that beer prices are about 31% higher than hot dog prices in the same year.
The increment rate for beer prices appears to be higher than that for hot dogs and soft drinks. Assuming an average yearly increase, beer prices grow roughly by $0.14 per year, while hot drinks and soft drinks grow by approximately $0.12 and $0.07, respectively.
Potential Implications:
The steady increase in concession prices over the years could affect the overall cost of attending a game for fans and may influence their spending behavior at the ballpark.
Teams and vendors may be using concession pricing as a means to increase revenue, offsetting other operational costs, or as part of dynamic pricing strategies that respond to demand and other market influences.
Missing Data:
There appears to be a missing data point for 2017, as the year is not listed on the graph.

Insights

The largest segment of respondents identifies as Casual fans, making up 36% of the surveyed population. This suggests that while there is a considerable interest in MLB, a significant portion of the audience may not follow it very closely or regularly.
Avid fans represent 22% of the respondents. These individuals are likely to be highly engaged with MLB, following games regularly, supporting their teams, and potentially consuming a lot of baseball-related content.
Interestingly, the largest individual category is made up of those who are Not a fan, with 42% of the survey participants falling into this group. This implies that nearly half of the survey sample does not follow MLB or has no interest in the sport.

Insights

Age Group 18-34:
This group shows the lowest percentage of avid MLB fans at 21%.
They have the highest percentage of individuals who are not fans at 42%.
37% are casual fans, which is the middle ground compared to the other age groups.
Age Group 35-44:
This group appears to have the highest level of interest in MLB, with 33% identifying as avid fans.
They also have a substantial casual fan base at 37%.
Only 30% are not fans, which is the lowest among all age groups.
Age Group 45-64:
Avid fans make up 20% of this group, which is less than the 35-44 age group but close to the 18-34 age group.
They have the largest casual fan base at 45%.
The non-fan category is similar to the 18-34 age group, at 34%.
Age Group 65+:
This age group has a slightly lower percentage of avid fans (18%) compared to the 45-64 group.
A considerable portion of this group are casual fans at 38%, although not as high as the 45-64 age group.
The percentage of those not interested in MLB is the highest in this category at 44%.

Key takeaways

Younger individuals (18-34) are the least likely to be avid MLB fans and the most likely to have no interest in MLB.
Those aged 35-44 not only have the highest percentage of avid fans but also the smallest percentage of those not interested, indicating strong MLB engagement in this demographic.
Interest in MLB seems to decrease slightly with age, with the percentage of avid fans dropping and the percentage of non-fans increasing as we look at older age groups.
The data suggests that MLB might need to focus on enhancing its appeal to younger audiences and maintaining the interest of older generations to ensure long-term fan engagement.
It’s worth noting that casual fans make up a significant portion across all age groups, indicating that there’s potential for converting casual fans to avid fans with the right engagement strategies.

Insights

Among all ethnicities, the Hispanic group has the highest percentage of avid MLB fans at 36%.
Conversely, the Black ethnic group has the lowest percentage of avid fans, at only 15%, but has the highest percentage of respondents who are not fans of MLB, at 50%.
The group labeled as “Other” has a relatively balanced distribution of interest, with 36% identifying as avid fans and 36% not being fans; the remaining 28% are casual fans. This suggests a diverse range of feelings towards MLB within this group.
The White ethnic group has a higher percentage of casual fans (39%) compared to avid fans (24%).

Implications

MLB may have the opportunity to increase engagement with the Black community, seeing as there is a large portion (50%) of the respondents who are not currently interested in the sport.
The high percentage of avid Hispanic fans suggests that MLB resonates well within this community, and outreach or marketing strategies that further cater to this demographic might be beneficial.
Since the group marked as “Other” has a balanced interest, targeted initiatives to elevate both the casual and avid fan percentages could be effective.
With almost three-quarters (63%) of the White respondents being either casual or not fans, MLB might consider strategies to convert casual fans into avid ones and spark interest among those not currently interested.

Insights

The most influential reason for supporting an MLB team is the place where individuals grew up, with 46% of respondents citing this factor. This suggests a strong sense of local or regional allegiance and implies that childhood experiences and geographical location during formative years play a significant role in team loyalty.
Family ties are also a significant influence, with 36% of respondents stating their family as the reason for supporting their MLB team. This indicates that MLB team preferences are often passed down through generations and that family bonding over baseball is a common tradition.
The current place of residence is the third most common reason given, with 27% of people supporting an MLB team based on where they live now. This may reflect either a continuation of local support or a shift in team loyalty due to moving to a new area.
Friends have a considerable impact, with 20% of respondents choosing their team based on friendships. This demonstrates the social aspect of enjoying sports and how peer groups can influence sporting preferences.
The players on the team influence 18% of the survey’s participants. Fans may be attracted to certain teams because of the athletes’ skills, personalities, or other attributes, suggesting that star power and team composition are also important factors in fandom.
Other reasons account for 12% of the responses, but these are unspecified within the graph. This could encompass a variety of less common or more personal reasons.
There is a small percentage (8%) of respondents who support a team for no particular reason. This group might include casual or less passionate fans, or those who like the team for more transient or less tangible reasons.
Lastly, the team’s record, or their performance, is the least influential factor at 8%. This suggests that, for most fans, loyalty to an MLB team is not primarily determined by the team’s success or win-loss record.