MLB Sees Over $8 Billion In Revenues In 2013

It was a very good year for Major League Baseball and anyone's pockets who are affected by MLB as they saw over $8 billion in revenue in 2013. This will be the first time ever that the MLB has seen its revenues exceed $8 billion, so maybe historic is a better term than very good. No exact figures have been released just yet, if they ever are, but the estimated total is somewhere between $8 billion - $8.5 billion.

Just as an FYI the estimated total from the 2012 season was somewhere above the $7.5 billion mark. Attendance is flat and steady but the rising number of television channels and markets are really driving up the worth of all teams in the MLB.

There is already speculation that this steady climb could see MLB finishing the 2014 season in the $8.5 billion - $9 billion mark. The league will see revenues double for new broadcast deals with FOX, ESPN, and TBS that will add $788.3 million a year to the league.

Let this sink in, love or hate Bud Selig, the overall revenue for the MLB in 1995 after the strike was $1.4 billion. Selig may have caused the strike, Selig may be on a witch hunt for Alex Rodriguez, and Bud may be a douche bag but with no work stoppages since 1994 he has overseen MLB growing a staggering 264% in 18 years.

Yankees Lost $58 Million In Ticket Revenue In 2013

The New York Yankees have to file all their financials with the great city of New York as a part of the bonds agreement for the construction of Yankee Stadium Part 3 and that includes its ticket revenue. According to those documents the Yankees lost $58 million in ticket revenue, which does not count concessions and such, from 2012 and the lack of a playoff berth is being the culprit.

Ticket sales and luxury suites totaled $295 million in 2013 which was down from $353 million in 2012, $377 million in 2011, and $384 million in 2010. Is this because of the product on the field or is it because the fans have been priced out of the new stadium? Guess that's another question for another post on another day.

YES Network Ratings Hit An All Time High Last Night

To nobody's surprise the YES Network had its best night all season, ratings wise, last night with the return of the train wreck that is Alex Rodriguez. Let that settle in because that includes Opening Day, the return(s) of Derek Jeter, etc. According to Sweeny Murti's twitter line the Yankees averaged 393,000 viewers for the game and topped out at 756,000 viewers for Alex's first at bat. The Yankees may not like Alex Rodriguez right now but I am sure they are not disliking the spike in viewership and revenue that he may bring the next 20-30 games while he is appealing this Biogenesis suspension.