MLB may be on the verge of winning big for their fans.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the most infuriating aspect of being a baseball fan these days is the league’s blackout policy.<\/p>\n
For some MLB fans, the power outage has made a bewildering number of games unavailable through the popular At Bat streaming package.<\/p>\n
Iowa is perhaps the best example of blackout-related absurdity.<\/p>\n
Statewide, Cubs, White Sox, Twins, Cardinals, Brewers and Royals games are currently unavailable for streaming. Despite the fact that many residents live hundreds of miles from those stadiums.<\/p>\n
Despite the ocean distance, Hawaiians love the games of the Dodgers, Angels, Padres, A’s and Giants.<\/p>\n
But the Sports Business Journal reports that MLB has recently hired a large executive, indicating it intends to investigate the matter further.<\/p>\n The league has reportedly hired Billy Chambers as EVP\/Local Media. Chambers has extensive experience with regional sports networks, and speculation has been rife as to MLB’s intentions.<\/p>\n \u201cBaseball executives believe they will be able to control many of the rights Diamond Sports manages,\u201d wrote John Owland.<\/p>\n Diamond Sports currently owns rights to 14 MLB teams, but is struggling financially.<\/p>\n But the biggest revelation is that the league is already looking at combining domestic and local products.<\/p>\n “MLB has already begun looking into creating a national product that combines local rights with an out-of-market extra-lining package that will help eliminate blackouts,” the report said.<\/p>\n This would make a big difference to baseball and its popularity.<\/p>\n One of the key hurdles to increasing fan interest in sports is the difficulty of watching. Local networks are often mysterious and endlessly frustrating. <\/p>\n Needless to say, it’s outdated and a far cry from how modern fans watch baseball.<\/p>\n MLB, like other leagues, has developed a mobile app. But the final hurdle to jump is making it easier for users to watch the game closer to home on the go.<\/p>\n As with any business, the easier it is to find and consume your products, the better.<\/p>\n With this news, it looks like the league is listening to complaints, and it could be fixed sooner or later. <\/p>\n Robot referee next?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"MLB](\"https:\/\/www.outkick.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/GettyImages-1065915934.jpg\")
MLB Buys Rights?<\/h2>\n