New rules and new stars are driving growth for MLB, but roadblocks loom

The All-Star Game is a showcase of Major League Baseball’s best players. On Tuesday night, the league will celebrate not only the players on the field but also the resurgence the sport has experienced over the last couple of seasons. Those vibes, however, may not last as long as expected. 

Why has the game seen a resurgence?

A steady increase in attendance, TV and streaming viewership and record revenue can be attributed in part to new rules put in place to speed up the game and provide more action. 

The pitch clock, banning the defensive shift and installing bigger bases have done just that. 

Next up is the possible adoption of the Automated Ball-Strike challenge system, which will be on display during Tuesday’s All-Star game. Three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw hopes MLB gets the details right, as they did with the previous changes.  

“I did a few rehab starts with it,“ Kershaw said. “I’m okay with it. I think it works. I just don’t understand how they’re doing the box, you know, for the hitters. Every TV and streaming service has their own box. Aaron Judge and Jose Altuve should have different-sized boxes.”   

Are teams in major markets a factor?

Competitive teams in major markets are boosting the league’s profile. The Los Angeles Dodgers playing the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series put the two biggest fan bases in the country in the spotlight. Throw in this year’s success by the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, and the top four markets in the country are all seeing increased fan engagement. Three more major markets – Detroit, Boston and Houston – are also becoming interested in a possible postseason run. 

“We’ve gone through the Central now, we’ve gone through the division,” Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said. “Cubbies fans seem to follow us wherever we go. Yeah, you can feel the buzz, but you can feel the buzz in the clubhouse, too. We’re all excited about our days and the work that we’re doing.” 

Which players are leading the charge?  

Crow-Armstrong is one of the bright up-and-coming stars in the game. Another reason why MLB’s popularity is on the upswing. He joins pitchers like Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal and Jacob Misiorowski and sluggers like James Woods, Ely De La Cruz and Cal Raleigh. They’re driving new interest in the game with must-see moments, like Big Dumper’s Home Run Derby victory Monday night.   

“It means the world,” Raleigh said. “I could have hit zero home runs, and I would have had just as much fun. I just can’t believe we won. It’s unbelievable.”

Raleigh’s introduction to the nation will continue Tuesday when he starts at catcher for the American League in the All-Star Game. He’ll also lead the Mariners into the second half of the season, where anticipation for a playoff run, just their second in 25 years, is building. 

What potential roadblocks lie ahead?

The possibility of limited exposure in 2026 could begin to derail the league’s growth spurt. The league is searching for a new broadcast partner to replace ESPN. The network has been the league’s biggest benefactor for more than three decades. Talks between the sides have resumed, but the deal ends in October, and Commissioner Rob Manfred has said MLB wants to focus on more national games, rather than a market-by-market service. The question is, will those games be seen over-the-air or on a streaming service? 

Upcoming negotiations with the players union could be a massive stumbling block. The union contract with the players is set to expire in December 2026. The fight over a salary cap that the owners desperately want is looming. In June, Commissioner Manfred said large-scale change is necessary, but union leadership is not necessarily on board. MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said Monday he was disappointed to see labor talks dominate when the game is thriving. 

“The game is in a great place,” Clark said. “It appears to be moving in the right direction. More attendance and more butts in the seats than we’ve had in a long time. More people are watching and streaming the games. You’d think there’d be an opportunity about how to build instead of how to go backwards.” 

The owners and players could decide to dig in and throw away all the rewards they’ve earned over the last couple of years with a lockout or strike. For now, however, both sides seem content to enjoy the resurgence in the game, along with the fans.