The Future of the World Series - Should it Look Like This?
By Ken Troupe
Tonight, should be a big night for baseball with the start of the Fall Classic, but is it?
Is the World Series the crown jewel for “America’s Game”? Or just signal that it is footballs time to grab more of the spotlight?
Most of my #SportsBiz friends agree that baseball is (how can I say this nicely) falling a little short on innovative ideas on how to grow the sport. As I mentioned on my Sept 22nd post this is not a new problem. At SportsBiz Builders we often kick around the idea that COVID-19 has given us the perfect excuse to fix all the ails us. So maybe the time is now to blow up the current presentation of the World Series.
Let’s make the World Series a permanent road show. That is right…do not fall out of your chair with this radical thought, but the time is now to turn the Fall Classic into a true celebration of the sport. If you think about what the NFL does with their Super Bowl Week which is programmed start to finish with events that celebrate their sport. The NFL model works and COVID gives MLB the perfect excuse to turn October on its head.
World Series Road Show Would Work Like This:
Games 1-2 in city #1 and Games 3-4 in City #2
These cities would need to be located on places or stadiums were weather would not be an issue.
You would want to be strategic with your selection of the cities.
Is baseball committed to keeping baseball in markets like Oakland and Tampa? Then host the World Series in both series to highlight all that is great about the game.
If the game committed to growing globally, then host games on Mexico City, or Puerto Rico.
If we are committed to reviving baseball in the inner cities, then host games in cities that have inner city youth baseball academy, and then program the heck out it with clinics. Or, how about hosting an MLB futures game or two.
Games 5 hosted by team with lowest seed.
I am not heartless, of course a team’s best fans will get rewarded with a home game. Although I have a few thoughts on this listed below.
Games 6-7 hosted by team with highest seed.
A team having the best record should still have the benefit of hosting the final two games.
The Celebrate Baseball Events:
Very similar to the way the NFL programs their entire week with events, with the certainty of the location and dates MLB can now do the same. On top Baseball Village events located near the stadium, below are three more examples of possible events.
1. World Series Neighborhood Watch Parties – You can tie a league sponsor to one if these surprise and delight at home watch parties. Think about rolling at home pop-up event utilizing a mobile LED Truck showing the game, that pulls up in front your house and throws a celebrate baseball street festival.
2. Celebrate the game with local game day coffee shop takeovers - You can never underestimate the power of buying the line a cup of coffee.
3. Pop-Up whiffle ball games - Imagine the buzz of rolling into an office park or school yard at lunch time and playing a little whiffle ball. The NCAA did a very similar idea a few years back with their Dribble to Work promotion to support the Women’s Final 4 in Tampa Bay.
The Sales Upside:
I understand the potential pushback that this model is not fair to the home team fans, but here are three ways to combat their concerns.
1. Premium Sales Perk – simply include an all expense trip for two with your premium seats.
2. You can still make tickets available to all your Season Ticket Members who want to make the trip and include a pre-game reception.
3. I live in Dallas and I know people here who are excited about Globe Life Field hosting the World Series. Host cities can make World Series tickets available their Season Ticket Members. They most likely will not see their home team, but still the coolness factor of going to the World Series is there no matter the teams playing.
It is COVID2020, so let us take advantage and shake thanks up. Love to hear your thoughts.