Tidbits, Thoughts & Tips around sports business…
News, notes and nuggets from our Publisher
Hello Fancentric Friends:
Well, well, well…what do we have here?
That’s right, a new Fan Cost Index®! Head over and check out TMR’s new 2023 Major League Baseball FCI® now!
Yes, it has been too long. And for all you FCI Heads out there, stay tuned as we have the following FCI data captured and reports are in the works:
Apologies for the delay. However, the process is incredibly labor-intensive and time consuming to not just collect the data, but also vet with (and often cajole) each and every team team, venue and league officials. We remain dedicated to fighting the good fight and publishing FCI data in the interest of fancentricity. Please note that all membership dollars are poured right back into more research and analysis.
Topline MLB FCI takeaways
MLB fans can take solace that while, yes, the cost to attend a ballgame is rising — the latest MLB FCI rose 4.5% to $266.58 while the average MLB Ticket climbed 3.5% to $37 — at least the increases are in line with national averages such as the most recent year-over-year Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) of 3.2 percent.
Together with a 4.8 percent increase among the FCI’s other non-ticket elements — concessions, souvenirs and parking — the MLB Fan Cost Index gained $10.17 per family of four. Among its professional league peers (MLS, NBA, NFL and NHL), MLB remains the lowest-priced FCI before we publish new data, which will assuredly be even higher:
Head here to read TMR’s full insights and see where every team landed in the latest MLB FCI table.
Reading is fundamental
A couple recent articles inside and out of sports business I contend are well worth your read:
The San Diego Union-Tribune‘s John Maffei on San Diego area’s surge of interest in girls flag football: “This San Diego high school has never fielded a football team. Its first one will be made up of all girls.”
The Los Angeles Times‘ Sarah Valenzuela talks with fans about the two MLB teams still broadcasting road games remotely: “Why are the Angels one of two MLB teams whose radio announcers don’t travel?”
The Guardian‘s Jeremy Gordon peels back the onion that is music producer Steve Albini: “The evolution of Steve Albini: ‘If the dumbest person is on your side, you’re on the wrong side’”
Have a great week and, as always, stay fancentric friends!
-CH
Header photo: @MLB