Article: Unlocking Baseball: Ending Blackout Restrictions for a Brighter Future

[Sean Chapin]

In this series of articles titled "Unlocking Baseball," I will dive into ways in which baseball can evolve and enhance the experience for fans. In this installment, I tackle one of the sport's most pressing challenges: broadcast blackouts.

Image courtesy of © Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

For decades, baseball has held a special place in American culture; it was once our national pastime. However, this reverence for tradition shouldn't equate to resistance against necessary changes. Throughout its recent history, baseball has undergone significant transformations, from implementing ghost runners on second base to introducing pitch clocks and the DH rule in the National League. While these changes have occurred, Major League Baseball still has ample room for improvement.

Blackout restrictions; end them NOW! Well, sort of....

Blackout restrictions originated with the "Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961," aimed at shielding home teams from broadcasting within their specific territories on game days. The primary goal back in 1961 was shifting towards filling stadium seats rather than encouraging viewership from home. However, these restrictions have only intensified over time. Consequently, fans like me, residing in states such as Iowa, find themselves blacked out from accessing games of six (6) Major League Baseball teams, a situation illustrated by the absurdity of the blackout map.

 

However, the primary reason behind the escalating issue of blackouts is not solely attributed to the "Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961"; rather, it stems from the protection clauses embedded within the contracts through which teams sell their broadcasting rights to cable companies. This shift became glaringly evident to Cubs fans when we lost access to games on WGN through our regular cable broadcasts. The absence of Cubs baseball on WGN left many fans without a viable means to follow their team.

Baseball fans in Iowa face unfair treatment due to these broadcasting rights, which enforce blackouts for six major-league teams. While there are avenues to watch my beloved Cubs, they often come at a hefty price. Prior to the introduction of the Marquee stand-alone service ($19.99/mo.), my options were limited to expensive alternatives such as FuboTV ($79.99/mo.), Mediacom ($89.99/mo.), and DirectTV ($123.98/mo.). For the average consumer, this poses a significant financial burden, especially when considering other streaming subscriptions I already subscribe to.

While the desire to eliminate blackout restrictions is widespread, it's essential to consider the potential negative repercussions of such a move. The financial impact on teams bound by blackout clauses in their contracts could be substantial, potentially leading to undesirable changes. Thus, the prospect of ending blackouts altogether remains uncertain, as they contribute to the overall value of MLB, its teams, and broadcast partners.

Baseball often professes its aim to expand its audience and attract new fans. However, achieving this goal becomes increasingly difficult when a considerable portion of the population cannot access their favorite teams' games without resorting to VPNs. If consumers are willing to pay for services like MLB.TV, it seems only logical to grant them unrestricted access to baseball content. Yet, MLB has remained stagnant on this issue, failing to address the barrier it presents to the game's growth.

While completely ending blackouts may not be feasible in the immediate future, MLB possesses the capability to offer a product like MLB.TV to all consumers, regardless of territorial restrictions. A viable solution discussed over recent years involves revising revenue sharing among teams through the MLB.TV broadcasting platform. Offering the full product at a fixed price point, along with an à la carte option to watch specific teams, presents a sensible approach for baseball, its fans, and the teams themselves.

Whatever the solution may be, it's evident that baseball faces a blackout problem that demands resolution.

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[CandidCubs]

This is one of the biggest barriers for baseball at the moment. Knowing where you live, this has to be top of mind. I recall during the Field of Dreams game the billboard campaign highlighting this issue. As the RSN model disintegrates, we may be close. However, baseball got in its own way in favor of money.