Getty Image / Kevork Djansezian
The NFL Draft has become a sensation for football fans across the league, as it brings hope and inspiration to every single fan base.
Additionally, the NBA Draft is similar, but at a smaller scale considering it is only two rounds.
Both sports do very well in terms of views, as many people tune in to watch where prospects will land.
With that in mind, it sounds like ESPN plans to increase excitement for baseball, as they aim to broadcast the MLB Draft this year.
According to Front Office Sports, you’ll be able to watch the MLB Draft for the first time when it airs on ESPN+.
It’s set to begin on July 9, as ESPN will only air the first round.
Now, this seems like a great idea on paper. People love watching the NFL and NBA Drafts, so why not broadcast the MLB Draft as well?
The main issue is, that a majority of baseball prospects play in the minors for years before they ever have a chance to make an impact on the their respective teams.
Even then, prospects are a long shot to be successful in the majors. Even guys taken in the first round.
The prospects in the MLB Draft lack the immediate impact rookies make in the NFL and NBA. Despite those concerns, ESPN will be airing the draft this year.
Front Office Sports shares the difference in views the MLB Draft receives in comparison to ESPN’s broadcasts of the NFL and NBA. The numbers aren’t great.
“The 2022 edition on ESPN and MLB Network drew a combined average audience of 843,000. The 2023 NFL Draft averaged 6 million viewers across four Disney-owned networks and the NFL Network, while the 2023 NBA Draft drew an event-record 4.9 million on ABC and ESPN.”
Additionally, baseball conducts its rookie draft in the middle of the regular season. So, fans are still focused on their favorite teams competing while offseason concerns are still several months away.
With that said, baseball fans couldn’t help but express their concerns.
The analysis on the NFL and NBA draft is often far off the mark. But the baseball draft… so much guessing going on. And even if that player really is a "star", it will be years before their impact is felt for your team. So… much of this will be nonsense on stilts! https://t.co/i4EqcPtDWS
— David Berri (@wagesofwins) June 29, 2023
You have to be a die hard baseball fan to know the names of these top prospects.
Investing in a TV product that the viewer is clueless on because a ton of the guys drafted are in HS and spend years in the minors seems like a giant mistake. Would be nice if they just returned to airing Baseball Tonight. https://t.co/0vOiDJe2os
— Tracy McDannald 📎 (@Tracy_McDannald) June 29, 2023
The NHL needs more attention!
and still wont give hockey the proper love it deserves…. I just don't get it. https://t.co/lz8XrxC9X3
— Zach Takes (@ZachTakes) June 29, 2023
At least ESPN is only airing the first round and not all 20.
and still wont give hockey the proper love it deserves…. I just don't get it. https://t.co/lz8XrxC9X3
— Zach Takes (@ZachTakes) June 29, 2023
But hey, maybe it works. You never really know. Especially considering there isn’t much else going on in the world of sports in the middle of July.
We’ll see how it pans out, but shoutout to ESPN for giving it a go. It’w worth a shot.