Bridging the Bases: How Small-Market Major League Baseball Teams Navigate MLB’s Financial Landscape

Presenter

Benjamin Kohlberg

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Muzzo Uysal, Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 3, 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board C6, Poster Showcase Room (163), Row 1 (C1-C10) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Throughout its 150-year history, Major League Baseball's (MLB) financial landscape has undergone continuous transformation to navigate the evolving dynamics of the sports industry and the broader economy. As the economic forces surrounding the sport have shifted, so too have the strategic measures employed by MLB teams to maintain a competitive presence. This evolution is particularly pronounced for small-market teams, which experience considerable financial disparities relative to their large-market counterparts. This study focuses on the challenges faced by such teams, and the corresponding strategies they must employ to maintain competitiveness. This research examines how small-market teams navigate MLB’s financial landscape through two primary lenses: the impact of data-driven approaches, and the efficacy of leaguewide financial policy. Ultimately, this study aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts to foster a competitive balance within MLB and other sports leagues.

Keywords

Baseball, Sports, Sports Analytics, Market Share, Competitive Balance

Research Area

Finance

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