Keeping Things Fair: How MLB Fans Are Reacting to the Lockout
As the Major League Baseball (MLB) offseason progressed into the new year, fans started to wonder what will happen in the upcoming season. The MLB players and team owners had been in a battle to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) since the old one expired on December 1, 2021.
Despite numerous extensions of the existing CBA, the two sides were unable to agree on a new one, leading to the first lockout in MLB history. As fans eagerly await a resolution, it is natural to think about how the lockout will impact their fandom, their wallets, and the game.
In this article, we will discuss how fans are reacting to the MLB lockout, the primary reasons for the deadlock, and what fans can expect when the lockout is eventually resolved.
Blame for Lockout
The current lockout is mainly due to labor issues between the players union and the team owners. The players are seeking better salaries, more equitable revenue sharing, and a more flexible free-agent system.
But, the owners argue that many teams are losing money due to declining attendance and reduced television revenue, which makes it challenging to agree to the players’ demands. Finally, the owners chose to lock out the players on December 1 after their CBA expired.
Some fans believe that the players caused the lockout by being greedy, while others believe that the team owners are responsible for the deadlock. Some fans think that both parties need to compromise and find an equitable solution for the good of the game.
Impact on Spending
The lockout is likely to have a massive impact on baseball spending, and fans are already feeling the pinch. Many fans are considering reducing their spending or not spending at all on baseball-related activities until the lockout resolves.
This spending reduction impacts not only ticket sales but also other aspects, such as merchandise sales, food, and drink sales, and alcohol sales.
Concession Spending
Reducing concession spending can make a considerable impact on one’s overall expenses at a ballgame. Though not significant, the Oakland Athletics would be grateful to have their fans purchase more food and drink spent at their concessions.
On the other hand, a luxury-goods vendor in Detroit, who was interviewed in early January, confessed that there had been a dip in concession sales due to the MLB lockout.
Alcohol Spending
Many fans like to enjoy beer and other alcoholic beverages while watching their team play. A research conducted last year discovered that Athletics fans were second in the league in alcohol spending, averaging $39 per game.
The top spender was Pittsburgh Pirates, with an average of $45 per game, and the St. Louis Cardinals were third, at $37 per game. Chicago teams were not too far behind, with the Cubs at $35 per game and the White Sox at $32 per game.
Among teams with lower alcohol spending, the Detroit Tigers were at $24 per game, while the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox were at the bottom of the list, with $16 per game.
Merchandise Spending
Many fans also show their support for their favorite teams by buying merchandise such as jerseys, hats, and other items. Before the lockout, fans of the winning teams, such as the Atlanta Braves, the Washington Nationals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Houston Astros, may have been tempted to increase their merchandise spending.
On the other hand, fans of teams that missed the playoffs, like the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Toronto Blue Jays, might have been less inclined to spend much on merchandise. During the lockout, fans’ merchandise spending is expected to go down as well.
Impact on Schedule
The longer the lockout lasts, the more it can affect the MLB schedule. As of early January, teams were expected to report to spring training in mid-February, followed by the start of the regular season on April 7.
If the lockout continues, then the league may face difficulty in getting the season started on time and may have to consider delaying opening day. This delay would have a negative impact on the economy of baseball towns, where hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses depend on the influx of fans during the season.
Agreement between Sides
When MLBs last lockout occurred, back in 1994, the strike lasted 232 days, costing the league millions of dollars. However, it is not unusual for CBA negotiations in other leagues to go down to the wire, and deals are often reached only after brinkmanship and posturing.
It is a positive sign that the two sides were engaged in productive discussions before the lockout was declared, and both have communicated that they are still eager to find a solution. Therefore, fans can stay hopeful that an agreement can still be reached in time to have a full, exciting 2022 MLB season.
Final Thoughts
The lockout has been a challenging time for all MLB fans. Many fans are already feeling the financial loss due to the lack of games and other related activities.
From reducing the spending on concessions to opting for cheaper alcohol drinks and merchandise, they are doing everything possible to mitigate the impact of the lockout. Hopefully, both sides will come to an agreement soon, and the 2022 season will proceed as planned.
The fans will once again be able to root for their favorite teams and players and hopefully witness an exciting, successful season. Fan Spending Tips: How to Save Money on MLB Merchandise and Game Tickets
Baseball fans are eagerly waiting for the end of the MLB lockout, hoping to once again enjoy their favorite teams’ games.
While they wait, they can start taking steps to save money when the games resume. In this article, we will discuss some fan spending tips that will help you save money on MLB merchandise and game tickets.
Buy Online and Earn Rewards
One of the best ways to save money when purchasing team gear or game tickets is to use credit cards or rewards programs. Several credit cards offer rewards for spending money on team gear, game tickets, and other purchases.
For example, if you’re a diehard Yankees fan, you can apply for a Yankees-branded credit card that offers rewards for purchases made at Yankees Stadium. These rewards can be redeemed for things such as memorabilia, game tickets, and exclusive experiences.
Similarly, many online retailers offer rewards programs that allow you to earn points for every purchase you make. You can redeem these points for discounts on future purchases, exclusive merchandise, and even tickets to games.
Turn Rewards into Tickets
Another way to save money on game tickets is to take advantage of bonus rewards and exclusive access programs offered by credit card companies. Several rewards credit cards offer bonus rewards for spending money on purchases made at MLB games or through specific team websites.
Additionally, some rewards credit cards offer exclusive access to presale tickets or priority seating at certain games. If you know you’re going to attend several games throughout the season, applying for one of these rewards credit cards might be a great way to save money on tickets.
Earn Cash Back on Merchandise
If you’re not a fan of rewards programs, consider using cashback credit cards or cashback apps when purchasing MLB merchandise. These credit cards or apps allow you to earn cash back on every purchase you make, which can add up quickly.
For example, Rakuten is a cashback app that partners with several online retailers, including the MLB Shop. By using the Rakuten app to purchase MLB gear, you can earn anywhere from 1% to 10% cash back on your purchase.
Similarly, the Ibotta app offers cashback on purchases made at select retailers, including the MLB Shop. By using the app, you can earn money for every purchase you make, which can be redeemed for gift cards, cash, or PayPal deposits.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many ways for baseball fans to save money on merchandise and game tickets. Whether you prefer rewards programs or cashback apps, there’s an option out there that will work for you.
By taking advantage of these fan spending tips, you can put more money back in your pocket and enjoy the game-day experience without breaking the bank. In this article, we discussed how fans are reacting to the MLB lockout and shared some fan spending tips that can help them save money on merchandise and game tickets.
We learned that the lockout is likely to impact baseball spending, such as concession and alcohol spending, and that rewards programs, cashback credit cards, and online purchases are great ways to save money on team gear and game tickets. As we wait for the lockout to resolve, fans should consider taking these steps to make the most of their baseball fandom.
Remember to utilize these tips and save money while enjoying America’s favorite pastime.