The Next Example of Why Live Sports Value Keeps Rising, and What Can Happen When We Show Up; MLB Opening Week…

The Summer Game has returned, and for those who like to howl about the “traditional” or those who realize even baseball needs to keep remaining relevant to those under 35, there is already a lot, and perhaps np more a lot than what we witnessed in person at Citi Field for Mets Opening Day. More on that, and why live is and will continue to be the driver in dollars coming up.

First, on baseball and “streaming” and all the ying and yang over Netflix. A few thoughts, coming from someone who in 1988, started at the platform formerly known as “SportsChannel” literally the day it was announced that the Yankees were moving from “free TV”…what was known as broadcast TV…and on to “pay cable.”

It was the end of the world, people wouldn’t pay, wouldn’t adjust, wouldn’t watch, were being deprived of their rights (even though not EVERY game was even broadcast at that point, you had to go to that other platform that once was going to stop people from going to games…radio…to fully follow your team.

Here’s a newsflash. People paid for what they saw value in, and they adjusted.

Just like we have adjusted with “cable,” and “streaming” and every other way we choose to follow, if we choose. So, Netflix has Yankees Opening Day. Maybe those of a certain age thought it was too much to bear and didn’t want to ante up, just like they didn’t want to for a “Cable bill.” That’s OK, there are probably 161 other ways to follow the Yankees after opening day, many of which you will pay for if you want to. The broadcast itself (I was speaking at a class that night, so I didn’t watch) was too much this and that, OK. Maybe it wasn’t traditional, but Netflix, like Apple, like ESPN (who also had exclusive rights for Opening Day games in the past), like YouTube, like Facebook, like X…all of whom have had exclusives past, present and future…adjusted the broadcast tone and look when they got feedback from the viewers and those who are paying money to subscribe and the world was right again.

One thing is for certain though, going back to “free games” isn’t happening. The way we consume is different, the ability to monetize grows, the ability to provide consumers with different ways THEY CHOOSE TO WATCH will keep growing with technology, and we will adjust.

By the way the complainers? The leagues already have them. What they want are those NOT consuming yet, so the changes will be dictated more by those below 40 than those above, and by the brands who want that market.

The good old days weren’t always good, tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems, said that old Mets fan Billy Joel, so just find a way to enjoy the game. Turn the sound down and out on your favorite broadcaster, come up with an AI audio feed, use only subtitles, whatever you like, you will have more choices than ever.

Now onto the joy of Opening Day, maybe one like no other, and why live sports remains the only appointment viewing, the only area of surprise and delight (outside of live music) and why it remains really hard (outside of work stoppages) to screw things up for those whow ant to embrace and enjoy a business that is controlled not by data or AI, but by a subject that performs with a heartbeat and a brain.

We made it to Citi  Field yesterday early on a great spring day in March, not knowing what to expect. What did we get?

–A National anthem viral story with some mistakes by a tremendous performer who also has played not just George Washington but DEREK JETER on Broadway.

–A fatal collision in the outfield between two birds, which were lifted away by a fast-acting groundskeeper.

–An apparent medical incident in the stands maybe 600 years from us which happened so fast and anonymously that no one actually noticed CPR being performed and a life saved.

–The touching acknowledgement of a 100 year old veteran and lifelong baseball fan, topped only by a 108 year old fan in Baltimore.

Oh then there was the game. In all the years of watching baseball live and in person, I have never seen:

–The Mets bat around twice in the same game.

–Seven pitchers used in a nine inning game by one team.

–A Cy Young phenom (whose famous girlfriend was taught religious education by my wife when she was younger) flame out in the FIRST INNING.

-A rookie make his first hit a home run.

-the first successful automated strike challenge.

All in just over three hours (yes I scored the game).

That was amidst the TikTok videos, the new food offerings, the crazy parking issues, the unique fan jerseys and on and on.

None of that happens if you don’t go, if you aren’t open to change, and if you think that sports is “too much.”

It was a one of a kind, enjoyable shared experience, just like the “Sweet Sixteen” is for hoops fans, a first NHL game is, a rowdy soccer game can be and on and on.

You never know what will happen when real live people do unique things for the first time. Sometimes nothing happens, but most times something does.

And that is  why the money keeps going up, the platforms keep expanding, and we find the reasons to show up.

Nothing better than the original reality show, on every diamond, field, pitch, rink around the world.