World Series - Texas Rangers v. Arizona Diamondbacks - Game Five
Rob Tringali
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MLB Playoffs Boost Engagement
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mikeharb
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Major League Baseball's expanded postseason format, introduced in 2022, has proven to be a success in increasing fan engagement and revenue. The new 12-team playoff structure has not only added more games and potential for upsets, but has also kept more teams and their fans invested in the playoff race as the regular season reaches its conclusion.
MLB’s Expanded Postseason Has Big Implications For Networks, Advertisers — TVREV
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A Look into MLB's Expanded Playoff Structure
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How MLB playoffs work: How many teams, format and more
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Wildcard Round Dynamics

The MLB's expanded playoffs have introduced a new best-of-three Wild Card Series, replacing the previous single-game elimination format. This change has significant implications for teams and fans:
  • The Wild Card Series features up to 12 games across four separate three-game series, with potentially nine elimination games
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  • All Wild Card Series games are played at the home park of the higher-seeded team
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  • The format increases the maximum number of playoff games from 43 to 53, boosting potential ad revenue and fan engagement
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  • It creates more intense competition for playoff spots, with multiple teams vying for wild card berths late into the season
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This new structure has kept more fanbases invested in the playoff race, even for teams that might have been out of contention under the previous format. It also provides additional opportunities for upsets and underdog stories, as evidenced by the Philadelphia Phillies' run to the World Series as a 6-seed in 2022
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Impact on TV Ad Revenue

The expanded MLB postseason format has significantly boosted television ad revenue and impressions. According to iSpot data, the 2022 playoffs generated 19.0 billion TV ad impressions and $354.3 million in estimated national TV ad spend
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. With the increased number of potential games under the new format, projections suggest up to 40.28 billion TV ad impressions and $752.6 million in ad spend for a full 53-game postseason
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. This substantial increase in ad reach and revenue is a key driver behind MLB's decision to expand the playoffs, despite concerns from purists about diluting the regular season's importance.
  • ESPN reportedly agreed to pay an additional $85 million for the rights to the expanded Wild Card round
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  • The expanded format creates more must-see TV during baseball's September stretch drive, potentially increasing viewership and ad value
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  • However, the collapse of the regional sports network model poses challenges, with up to half of MLB teams potentially losing significant TV revenue by 2025
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Underdog Success Stories

Baseball has produced numerous inspiring underdog success stories throughout its history. Some notable examples include:
  • Mike Piazza: Drafted in the 62nd round as a favor, Piazza became one of the greatest hitting catchers of all time, earning 12 All-Star selections and 10 Silver Slugger awards
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  • Jim Morris: A high school teacher who made his MLB debut at age 35 after promising his students he'd try out if they won their district championship
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  • Jim Abbott: Born without a right hand, Abbott overcame his disability to pitch 10 seasons in the majors, including throwing a no-hitter in 1993
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  • 2004 Boston Red Sox: Came back from a 3-0 deficit against the Yankees in the ALCS before going on to win the World Series, breaking the 86-year "Curse of the Bambino"
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These stories of perseverance and unexpected triumph resonate with fans and exemplify baseball's unpredictable nature, where underdogs can rise to achieve greatness against seemingly insurmountable odds
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Related
What are some of the most inspiring underdog stories in sports other than baseball
How did Jackie Robinson's journey impact the Civil Rights Movement
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