Wednesday, September 2, 2026

MLB Revenue Slides

MLB
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

MLB successfully navigated its way through a pandemic-shortened 2020 season to the World Series, but the league suffered a $3.1 billion loss. Teams have shed hundreds of jobs — with some not expected to return.

The Atlanta Braves are among the teams that laid off employees after experiencing a 95% year-over-year revenue dip April to June. Other teams that suffered large layoffs include the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants.

Offseason layoffs and furloughs aren’t contained to MLB either as leagues combat the loss of game-day fan revenue — up to 70% for some teams. Earlier in the pandemic, other leagues and teams dealt with furloughs, layoffs and pay cuts.

MLB 2020 Expectations vs. Reality:

$10 billion — Expected 2020 Revenue

$10.2 billion — Expected 2020 Expenses

$3 billion — Real 2020 Revenue

$6.1 billion — Real 2020 Expenses

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Aug 23, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) calls out a foul ball at the bottom of the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images

MLB Season Attendance Set for Fourth Consecutive Increase

The league eyes its first four-year run of growth since 2004–07.
Aug 9, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; The Tampa Bay Rays logo on a batting helmet prior to the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Rays’ $2.36B Ballpark Gets Final Approval in Tampa

Groundbreaking is targeted for later this year.

Tampa City Council Narrowly Approves Rays Stadium Funding 

The long-sought-after project narrowly survives the city vote.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/2/26 – Kroenke Buys Angels, LSU-SEC Court Showdown, Cubs’ TikTok Rom-Com

0:00

Featured Today

Aug 3, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) kisses the championship trophy during the trophy ceremony after her match against Jessica Pegula (USA) (not pictured) in the women's singles final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

How Alex Eala Turned the Philippines Into a Tennis Nation

A December homecoming match could break tennis’s attendance record.
August 26, 2026

Deshaun Watson Has Done the Impossible: Unite Browns Fans

Watson was named the starter after complaining boos were “personal.”
August 23, 2026

Dan Snyder ‘Invisible’ in NFL Three Years After Commanders Sale

Snyder has had little to no contact with former NFL associates.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2026 Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores their first goal past Burnley's Max Weiss
August 21, 2026

Why the Premier League’s Star-Power Shortage Doesn’t Matter

The world’s richest soccer league doesn’t rely on big stars to dominate.
August 12, 2026

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
patrick_mahomes

Less Than Super TV Viewership

CBS Sports’ telecast of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs averaged 91.629 million viewers, down 8%.
person_playing_cricket
December 23, 2020

Prominent Tech Execs Line Up to Back Cricket Growth In the U.S.

More than 20 investors have now bought into American Cricket Enterprise, parent company oMajor League Cricket.
man_riding_stationary_bike
December 28, 2020

Connected Fitness Company Echelon Lands $65 Million Investment

The funding came from Goldman Sachs and North Castle Partners, who now own controlling interests in the company.
Sponsored

Kerri Walsh Jennings’s Playbook for the Future of Volleyball

The former gold medalist talks NCAA, the Olympics, & investing in volleyball.
woman_holding_hockey_stick
December 23, 2020

NBC to Air NWHL Finals, Adds to Banner Year for Women’s Sports

It will be the first time professional women’s hockey games are shown live on a major national cable network in the U.S.
antetokounmpo_dribbling_basketball
December 23, 2020

‘Giannis Effect’ Felt by Bucks Following Record-Breaking Extension

Since he was drafted in 2013, the Bucks’ valuation has jumped from No. 30 in the league at $312 million to No. 19 at $1.58 billion.
December 22, 2020

Adam Silver Says NBA Expansion is ‘Manifest Destiny of the League’

“It’s sort of the manifest destiny of the league that you expand at some point,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Monday.
December 22, 2020

Adidas Partners With Jerry Lorenzo, Fear of God Brand

Lorenzo will lead creative and business strategy for Adidas basketball globally, and launch a Fear of God athletics sub-brand.