I heard a guy tell Bill Simmons this on the latest Simmons podcast.

 

Do you believe the NBA is more popular in the entire US than MLB?

 

If so, should that concern MLB?

Without a shadow of a doubt.

 

MLB hasn't concerned themselves with ratings or popularity for a long time. The game is insanely boring to the casual fan because of the stupid stuff like what Bryce Harper was talking about.

Two different questions being posed here, in my mind.

 

1.) Is basketball more popular than baseball? Yes. Just look at all the basketball goals in the driveways or on the barns across America. You get 4-6 guys together with a basketball, and you're playing a game. With baseball, you're probably still looking for more guys. It's just ease of access. So, as much as I am a baseball fan, I readily concede this part.

 

2.) Is the NBA more popular than MLB? Ehhhh, maybe in certain parts. Most basketball arenas hold what, 15-20k? I'd say that's about an average attendance for a baseball game. And that's even with twice the amount of games you can go to. I know people go to baseball games for the socializing factor too, but I'd still say they're at least somewhat a fan of the game/team...otherwise why not just save yourself the ticket price and hang out with your buddies at the local bar. So, I'd still give MLB the nod (slightly).

I love baseball, I played it my whole life and coached it for many years. With that said Baseball is my third favorite behind the NFL, college basketball and college football and then MLB. Out of professional sports they are 2nd for me.

 

If they shortened the season that would get me more interested. Also if they would put a salary cap on baseball, I think that would go along way in slowly starting to get baseball to catch up with the other sports.

Let me be clear. I am asking where it ranks with sports fans and not you personally.

I think day in, day out, MLB is more popular. The problem is baseball is a regional game, and outside of the die hard fans, people only pay attention to their home (or favorite team). I think NBA has bigger stars, and draws more attention to the big games, especially the playoffs.

 

So to me it goes:

 

NFL

MLB

NBA

 

During big games and the playoffs, NBA and MLB flip spots.

I've been hearing about the demise of baseball since the 90s yet we haven't seen evidence of it.

 

People are still coming to games at about the same clip. Not sure about watching it on TV.

Two different questions being posed here, in my mind.

 

1.) Is basketball more popular than baseball? Yes. Just look at all the basketball goals in the driveways or on the barns across America. You get 4-6 guys together with a basketball, and you're playing a game. With baseball, you're probably still looking for more guys. It's just ease of access. So, as much as I am a baseball fan, I readily concede this part.

 

.

 

What would I see if baseball was more popular? What's the equivalent of "basketball goals in the driveways?"

 

You have described why it's easier to get a game going in the neighborhood.

Baseball sure seems to make a lot of money, based on the salaries they're paying.

Edited March 16, 201610 yr by tcjkbt

I definitely think the NBA is more popular.

 

Does anybody know if the NBA Playoffs or MLB Playoffs get higher ratings?

NBA is bigger with younger people.

MLB is bigger with older people.

I definitely think the NBA is more popular.

 

Does anybody know if the NBA Playoffs or MLB Playoffs get higher ratings?

 

Looks like NBA get higher ratings in the playoffs and MLB gets higher ratings in the regular season.

NBA is bigger with younger people.

MLB is bigger with older people.

 

A study was done asking about each sport and how closely they follow the sport.

 

 

18-29 year olds:

 

Very Closely - MLB 8% NBA 4%

Somewhat closely - NBA 16% MLB 12%

 

"Not very" and "Not closely at all" were dead even.

 

Major League Baseball still leads the NBA when it comes to popularity - Business Insider

I was just talking about I guess the people that I know...all the kids are all over the NBA. 35-40+ crowd is more MLB inclined.

Personally, I haven't cared much for baseball in the last 10 to 15 years. Can't tell you the last time I watched a game, World Series included. I would go to a game with a group of friends more for the social aspect of it than to actually see the game. When I was little I used to check the box scores in the paper every morning and be upset if my team was on the west coast and the score wasn't included. So things have definately changed with me.

 

I don't watch a lot of NBA either except for the playoffs, but I know more or less who is doing good, teams, players, etc. With baseball I couldn't name most of the Allstar players.