• Loading stock data...
Monday, November 11, 2024
DEADLINE EXTENDED: The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open through Nov. 13 Learn More

World Series Game 3 Carries Huge Stakes for Yankees, MLB, and Fox

  • World Series viewership and ticket resale activity hinge greatly on the outcome of Monday’s Game 3.
  • New York-area TV audiences could be somewhat split between the Fall Classic and “Monday Night Football.”
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Officially, Major League Baseball and Fox Sports do not take a rooting interest in anything happening on the field. But there is little doubt that the league and the network are enormous Yankees fans for a critical World Series Game 3 on Monday at Yankee Stadium.

The Fall Classic turns east after the Dodgers took a 2–0 series lead at home, a pair of high-profile games marked by strong domestic viewership for both Game 1 and Game 2—and a broader recognizance of the league’s growth, particularly over the last two seasons.

All that momentum, however, stands materially at risk with Game 3. If the Dodgers win and go up 3–0, the Yankees will be in a playoff hole that only one MLB team in history has escaped, the 2004 Red Sox. Across the NBA, NHL, and MLB, just five teams have overcome a 3–0 deficit in a best-of-seven postseason series. If the Yankees win Game 3, the World Series is guaranteed to go at least five games and the prospects of a deep, competitive series increase substantially—as do the chances of attracting even larger television audiences.

“First two games of the World Series up 63% over last year. Still tracking at a seven-year high,” Fox Sports president of insights and analytics Mike Mulvihill tweeted on Sunday. “Now just looking for a long series!”

Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is in the lineup for Game 3, leading off in his customary designated hitter slot, after sustaining a partial shoulder dislocation in Game 2

The Yankees, however, do have a history of rebounding from 2–0 World Series deficits, including in 1996, 1978, 1958, and 1956, with two of those comebacks coming against the Dodgers. 

Game 3, meanwhile, will be part of the only sports equinox of 2024, with every major U.S. men’s pro league in action Monday night. New York viewership will be particularly divided as the NFL’s Giants will be playing a Monday Night Football game at the Steelers concurrently with the Yankees-Dodgers game.

Ticket Market Crash

The potential for a Dodgers sweep, meanwhile, has prompted a marked decline in the ticket resale market for Game 3 and the other scheduled games at Yankee Stadium. Low-end, get-in prices for Monday night that last week stood at about $1,200 each can now be purchased for about $650. 

Ticket aggregator TicketIQ, meanwhile, said the average resale listing price for the three potential games in the Bronx is now $3,485. While still historically high for a World Series, that figure has dropped by 29% from a comparable $4,875 six days ago. 

Much like the television situation, a Yankees loss on Monday to set up the chance of a Dodgers sweep would undoubtedly depress the market much further. Before any of that possibly occurs, though, hundreds of Yankees fans began to line up outside of Yankee Stadium more than six hours before Game 3, waiting for the public gates to open.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

SMU’s Nine-Figure ACC Move Is Paying Off in Year 1

SMU paid its way into the ACC and is seeing immediate benefits.

Cowboys’ Struggles Could Lead the NFL to Flex Out America’s Team

The perennially popular team is facing a very different reality this season.

Rays Future Stadium Deal in Hands of Newly Elected Officials

Newly elected county commission members are expressing heightened skepticism of the club’s agreement.

Why 23-Year-Old Phenom Roki Sasaki Will Be MLB’s Biggest Bargain

The star pitcher’s youth and talent make him highly coveted by all 30 teams.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Roger Goodell Wants MORE International Games

0:00

Featured Today

Former President Donald Trump waves to the crowd as he exits the putting green with his aide Walt Nauta, left, during the final round of the LIV Golf Bedminster golf tournament at Trump National Bedminster on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023.
opinion

Trump Win Puts Sports Back in the White House

With Trump back in the White House, sports get more political again.
Members of the NY Giants run onto the field to start the game between the New York Giants and the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.
November 8, 2024

The NFL Is Becoming the League With No Borders

Where will the NFL go next? International expansion will only get bigger.
November 5, 2024

NFL Center Connor McGovern Is the Heir to a Potato Empire

The NFL vet’s family provides potatoes for McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and others.
Vanderbilt Commodores fans head to the south end zone as the goal post is taken down by exuberant fans after beating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
opinion
November 2, 2024

Something New in College Football This Year: Parity

Upsets, surprises. CFB is more fun on the field than the NFL.

The Caitlin Clark Show Is Hitting the LPGA Tour in a Big..

The WNBA star is playing in an LPGA pro-am this week.
November 7, 2024

F1 Revenue Dips As Q3 Race Count Slips, but Big Changes Ahead

F1’s Q3 revenue dips slightly, but billion-dollar LVMH deal fuels optimism.
November 10, 2024

Goodell: NFL Eyeing 8 International Games In 6 Countries Next Season

The Giants-Panthers game in Germany concludes the NFL’s five-game 2024 international slate
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
November 7, 2024

NASCAR Season Wraps Up With Major Momentum for 2025

Cup Series races this year have averaged 2.89 million viewers.
May 19, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of the chain and jersey of Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia (11) against the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning at Truist Park.
November 6, 2024

Braves Report Strong Quarter, but Still Face Media Uncertainty

Revenue rises for the high-performing MLB club as it awaits the outcome of Diamond Sports Group’s bankruptcy.
November 6, 2024

McIlroy: Trump Could Help PGA Tour–LIV Golf Deal Discussions

The star golfer said Tuesday’s election results may benefit the fractured sport.
November 5, 2024

2024 NFL Trade Deadline More Active Than 2023

Several big-name players found new homes.