There are concerns that there will not be an MLB 2020 season, a possibility that could bring on lasting consequences. Especially after many failed attempts at negotiations between the league and MLBPA.
What a shame that MLB and MLBPA could not come together on this because there were plenty of opportunities to do so. Commissioner Rob Manfred will take over the plans for the season, he could even order a season or shorten it. There are some burning questions many fans may have at this point.
If the league does decide to cancel the 2020 season, then it would be the first time in history a whole season is canceled. This could cause issues for the future of baseball because there is so much drama surrounding MLB. The relationship between the league and the players is damaged right now.
Consequences
There are plenty of consequences that could have lasting effects on MLB. For instance, attendance could plummet because of the drama and some may lose interest. This could affect teams that are already struggling to sell tickets. Imagine what this could do to some of the small-market teams like the Cleveland Indians who struggle with their attendance despite having good records.
Free agency, the offseason and future drafts could be affected in the bigger scheme of things. Teams will be more cautious when it comes to payroll so free-agent players may not get the contracts they would have before. Even the trade market will be tough because teams may not want to take on contracts.
TV and Revenue
The consequences that broadcasting contracts and revenue would face from a short season are an even bigger issue if the season is canceled. In order to make revenue, the networks need to have games to broadcast. MLB makes a lot of money from broadcasts, especially during the playoffs.
There are some big TV deals in MLB that include a lot of money. It could be something that MLB spends years recovering from. In the offseason, the Dodgers signed a big distribution deal with DirectTV with expectations of a championship season.
The Yankees and Dodgers may see their championship aspirations fade as some players will face free agency regardless of games played. Most teams will have to deal with the loss of players and it could hurt if they spent a lot of money them or made a big trade to get them, Either way, it will be a big loss that could take time to recover from. It will be interesting to see how teams navigate this. The damaged relationship between the owners and players could affect future deals or trades.
There are more questions then answers right now about MLB and the future of the game. Stay tuned as this storyline continues to play out. Check out Belly Up Sports for more sports and entertainment, don’t miss out.
