October 27, 2023

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Welcome to the World Series no one expected. The Diamondbacks and Rangers last made the postseason in 2017 and 2016, respectively, and both were major championship long shots back in the spring.

But the two squads have earned their place in the Fall Classic, and today we’re breaking down every angle of the World Series, from viewership and ticket prices to the overall state of each team off the field.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]] and Eric Fisher [[link removed]]

Lack of Stars, Big Markets Dampers World Series Viewership Expectations [[link removed]]

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

MLB’s most popular and expensive teams didn’t meet expectations during the 2023 season — and the biggest brands that made the postseason faltered, too.

That leaves baseball with a World Series matchup featuring the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks.

In the American League, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, and New York all missed the postseason — removing the possibility of at least one participant with a national following or well-known rabid local fan base. In the National League, the Phillies saw their raucous playoff run come to an end after a seven-game thriller with Arizona.

“There’s no question the league would rather have had Philly in there rather than Phoenix,” sports media consultant Jim Williams told Front Office Sports. “At least it would have given them two major markets.” Philadelphia also would have given the World Series a major star in Bryce Harper.

Last year’s Philadelphia-Houston six-game series was the second-least-watched World Series on record, averaging [[link removed]] just under 12 million viewers on Fox.

Now, the league looks to cap off what has been an up-and-down playoffs ratings-wise. After being down in the early rounds, viewership rebounded [[link removed]] in the league championship series, helping MLB to a 7% increase, compared to 2022, heading into the World Series.

On The Clock

One regular-season trend that has persisted in the playoffs is the decrease in the average length of an MLB game.

So far this postseason, the average game time [[link removed].] has been 3:02, a 20-minute decrease from last year’s games through the first three rounds. That stacks up nicely against the regular-season average, a drop of 24 minutes to 2:40.

PODCAST

🎙️ They Said What?

“It’s just a bad way to run an entertainment business. Effort matters. It’s compelling when teams try to win.”

— Evan Drellich, senior writer at The Athletic, on how “moneyball” has corrupted the game of baseball. To hear more from Drellich and why he thinks teams that go all-in make it to the World Series, check out the latest episode of Front Office Sports Today.

🎧 Listen and subscribe on Apple [[link removed]], Google [[link removed]], and Spotify [[link removed]].

D-Backs Still Facing Big Local TV Questions Following World Series Run [[link removed]]

Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

The upstart Arizona Diamondbacks will hit the local airwaves in 2024 as a National League pennant winner, at the very least, and perhaps a World Series champion.

But precisely where those games will be shown and how much money the club will reap for those broadcasts remain mysteries.

In July, the Diamondbacks were the second major pro team to have their local rights dropped [[link removed]] by Diamond Sports Group, the bankrupt parent of Bally Sports, a situation that has since greatly complicated local media planning across MLB [[link removed]] and other leagues [[link removed]] and has ushered in a new era [[link removed]] in Phoenix sports media.

MLB quickly moved to broadcast and distribute Diamondbacks games, showing them on a broad mix of local broadcast, cable, and streaming outlets. The club also was guaranteed at least 80% of its contracted rights fees — pegged at $61.2 million for 2023.

How that will carry over into 2024 is still a massive question mark for the Diamondbacks, who are also facing pressing facility concerns [[link removed]].

MLB said it remains prepared to take on as many of its teams’ local broadcasting as necessary, at comparable financial terms to recent years.

“We are confident that we can produce revenue streams in those local markets that are not drastically different from what teams have been used to enjoying,” said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on the “Marchand and Ourand” podcast. “There may be a little downtick, and then a build back up. We do really believe in the fundamental value of the content.”

SPONSORED BY OAK VIEW GROUP

Benchmarking Venue Sustainability

Climate Pledge Arena, a leading example [[link removed]] of sustainability in sports, has achieved the prestigious International Living Future Institute (ILFI) zero net carbon certification.

This milestone underscores the arena’s dedication to environmental stewardship, ensuring it emits no net carbon.

Through innovative design and renewable energy, it stands as a model for sustainable architecture, promoting eco-friendly practices within urban spaces. Attaining the ILFI certification sets a benchmark for future Oak View Group [[link removed]] constructions, illustrating large-scale facilities can harmonize with the environment.

The arena’s commitment aligns with the global fight against climate change, emphasizing the urgency of sustainable initiatives.

To join the cause, learn more about GOAL [[link removed]], an organization dedicated to environmental conservation, and the fight against climate change.

Dallas and Phoenix Fueling Demand for World Series Tickets [[link removed]]

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

While the Texas-Arizona World Series matchup might not be what MLB and Fox Sports executives would have chosen, Rangers and Diamondbacks fans are showing out for the occasion, creating high demand for tickets on the secondary market.

The average resale price for a sold-out Game 1 at Globe Life Field in Dallas one day out was $1,273, according to data SeatGeek provided to Front Office Sports. That’s a 9% increase from the eve of the Houston Astros hosting the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the 2022 World Series.

“There is no postseason fatigue here,” said Oliver Marvin, director of business operations at SeatGeek, MLB’s official ticket marketplace.

The Rangers are seeking their first-ever World Series title, while the Diamondbacks are looking for their second in their first trip back to the playoffs since 2017.

Monday’s Game 3 will also be a hot ticket as the series shifts to Arizona’s Chase Field. The average resale price for that game is currently $1,080, and the get-in price is $735. “We’re seeing a lot of ticket demand from both markets,” Marvin added.

A competitive first two games in Dallas could make ticket prices soar even higher throughout the series.

The Rangers are slight — but not overwhelming — favorites to win the World Series. Both teams went to seven games in the ALCS and NLCS before punching their ticket to baseball’s championship round.

The Diamondbacks Are World Series Underdogs, And So Is Their Ballpark [[link removed]]

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The 2023 World Series offers a study of contrasts, whether it’s roster development strategies, team payrolls, or franchise histories.

But the biggest difference is perhaps in the teams’ facilities.

The Texas Rangers are playing in three-year-old Globe Life Field, a $1.2 billion ballpark opened in the difficult circumstances of the pandemic but since chosen as the host of next year’s MLB All-Star Game. Forming a key part of the expansive sports and entertainment complex in Arlington, Globe Life Field is also a factor in the ongoing race [[link removed]] to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

“This is a building designed specifically for baseball, and we are looking forward to another opportunity to show this off to the world,” Rob Matwick, Rangers executive vice president of business operations, told Front Office Sports.

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ 25-year-old Chase Field, conversely, is the fulcrum of an increasingly urgent facility search for the club. The club would like to stay at the downtown Phoenix ballpark but haven’t found the public-private agreement necessary to fund $400 million to $500 million in needed upgrades — including replacing outdated air conditioning, scoreboard, and lighting systems.

That lack of a deal also contrasts with the growing number of MLB clubs that have completed pacts this year for new or upgraded facilities, and it’s unclear what the team will do if a renovation deal does not materialize.

“We don’t have our hand out, but if you look at some of the other situations very similar to ours — like Milwaukee, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Baltimore — in each case, they are getting strong investments from the public, from a mixture of city/county/state, and we just aren’t,” Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall said [[link removed]] last month.

Big Aspirations

Like the Rangers and a fast-growing number of other teams, the Diamondbacks would like a renovated Chase Field to be the center of a downtown mixed-use development. The club’s current lease expires in 2027.

“I’m starting to get concerned with the timing,” Hall said. “I don’t think the city officials in particular understand the urgency.”

Conversation Starters Texas isn’t just hosting the first two games of the World Series. Bryson DeChambeau is launching a Topgolf-style golf venue in Fort Worth that will include a host of high-end amenities [[link removed]]. As a kid, Johnnie B. Baker Jr. was nicknamed [[link removed]] “Dusty” because of how often he played in the dirt. Now, after 18 years as an MLB player and nearly 30 as a manager, the 73-year-old is retiring after a deep postseason run. Would you pay up to $2,000 to attend [[link removed]] the World Series?

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Winning Made Easy

Front Office Sports is partnering with Splash Sports to bring you an NBA Tiers Contest [[link removed]]for this Sunday’s action-packed slate of games.

What is Splash Sports [[link removed]]? Splash Sports is from the owners of RunYourPool and OfficefootballPool.com. They let you play Survivor, PickX, Tiers, and more without having to collect entry fees, keep spreadsheets, and pay out winners.

This Sunday, join us as we gear up for games including Wemby, the new look Bucks, the reigning champs, and more. Accumulate fantasy points for your player selections and have a chance at being one of three cash prize recipients!

Join the contest [[link removed]] before games begin at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 29.*

More MLB Stories Pair of Game 7s Drive Improved MLB Postseason Ratings [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]A pair of dramatic Game 7s boosted Major League Baseball's TV viewership for the two League Championship Series. ‘Monday Night Football’ More Than Doubles TV Audience For MLB’s ALCS Game 7 [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]Monday night’s telecast pulled 18.6 million viewers, up 57% from last season's comparable game window. 18 State AGs Ask Supreme Court to Take Up MLB Antitrust Case [[link removed]]by A.J. Perez [[link removed]]Coalition supports the challenge of MLB’s antitrust exemption. With 100-Win Teams Out, Manfred Defends MLB Playoff Format [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]Top teams from regular season all eliminated as upset wave grows. Question Of The Day

Do you typically try to set New Year's resolutions or goals?

Yes [[link removed]] No [[link removed]]

Thursday’s Answer

71% of respondents drink alcohol while watching sports.

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