There is always a buzz around the ball field. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first game, your 1,000th game, or somewhere in between. Baseball is just special. To riff off a popular saying by Mark Twain, “the rumors of its demise have been greatly exaggerated.”
Not only is baseball alive and well on the Mt. Rushmore of best sports, it’s thriving. The game has memorable stars, its audience is younger than ever before, and brands are seeing a real ROI when investing in the game. With so many reasons to love the game, we’ve broken down five reasons why baseball is still America’s Pastime.
High-profile players
Baseball has a number of high-profile players who are household names and draw in fans from all over the world. Players like Mike Trout, Juan Soto, and Bryce Harper are among the best to ever play the game and have a huge following of fans who want to see them on a nightly basis. Not only is the game riddled with current stars, but fans are also becoming more and more familiar with college players thanks to a sharp increase in college baseball support from ESPN.
Access to content
With content streaming easier than ever before, baseball highlights and content are never more than a tap away. Fans can watch games live on television, stream games on their phones and tablets, and even watch highlights and analysis on social media apps like snapchat and Youtube. This makes it easy for fans to stay up to date on the latest happenings in the league and stay connected to the sport. It also connects them to their youngest audience ever. Gone are the days where kids want to sit in front of the tv. Instead, they stream thousands of hours of content on Youtube and others every single day.
Embrace of player personalities
The MLB has embraced the personalities of its players, allowing them to express themselves on and off the field. This has led to the creation of some of the most popular and interesting personalities in all of sports, from Fernando Tatis Jr’s bat flips to Trea Turner’s electric slides. Fans love to see players express themselves in ways that you and I would if we were playing. At the end of the day, it’s still a game.
Strong fan bases
Baseball has a dedicated fan base that spans generations. Fans who grew up watching the game with their parents often pass the love of the sport down to their children, creating a loyal fan base that will continue to support the league for years to come. We’ve also seen a huge rise in player loyalties. As younger generations become loyal to individual players, rather than just a team, they consume more and more content. One might go right from watching their home team play on TV to watching highlights of another player on the other side of the country. Baseball’s stars are in every market and on every team, helping continue to grow the footprint of America’s game.
Marketing opportunities
Baseball provides marketers with a wide range of opportunities to reach consumers. From advertising on television and at the stadiums, to sponsorships and partnerships, baseball offers a variety of ways for companies to connect with fans and gain exposure for their brand. According to Sponsor United, baseball still leads the way in team sponsorships at an average of 108 per team. They also continue to see an increase in investment in the MLB (8% YoY). Opportunities abound in a game that is far from struggling in the late innings.
Wondering how to best associate your brand with America’s favorite pastime? Maybe you’re looking to bring a ballplayer into your talent pool. Schedule a 15-minute chat with the Progage team today to get your marketing content off the pine and onto the diamond.
Progage came to life in early 2021, when NFL football player Kaden Smith and entrepreneur Kyle Fenner came together to create a sports marketing agency focused on helping brands win via creative storytelling and social media marketing.