Christina Gough
Research expert covering sports and video gaming
Major League Baseball - statistics & facts
Often called America's pastime, baseball has a long tradition in American society. From throwing a ball in the garden to playing Little League, many kids grow up dreaming of making it to the big leagues, namely Major League Baseball (MLB). Made up of 30 teams that compete in the American League and the National League, MLB is considered one of the most popular and financially successful sports leagues in the world.
MLB franchise values
MLB generates billions of dollars in revenue every year, with an average of almost 380 million U.S. dollars per team in 2024 from various revenue streams, including broadcast rights, merchandise sales, ticket sales, and sponsorships. MLB's revenue streams have contributed to the significant growth in franchise value. In 2004, the average value of an MLB franchise was 295 million U.S. dollars but, by 2024, the estimated average franchise value had increased to over 2.4 billion U.S. dollars. The Miami Marlins was the least valuable franchise in the league, with a value of one billion U.S. dollars, while the New York Yankees was the most valuable franchise, with a value of 7.55 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.The key to the MLB's financial success
MLB's financial success is attributed to various factors, including the significant contribution from TV and media. In the 2022 season, the league's broadcasting deals with TBS, ESPN, and Fox generated a substantial source of income. Overall, local media accounted for almost one quarter of the MLB's revenue in that season. Social media has also become a critical component of the league's popularity, as demonstrated by its millions of followers on various platforms. The league has even collaborated with social media giants such as Facebook and Twitter to livestream games and share highlights with fans. The role of game attendance cannot be overlooked, with an average of 29,293 fans attending each game in 2023, resulting in a total of over 70 million attendees throughout the season.Salaries in MLB
Alongside being home to some of the highest-paid athletes in the world, MLB has implemented a minimum player salary to ensure that all players are compensated for their efforts on the field. In 2024, the minimum player salary was set at a significant 740,000 U.S. dollars, a notable increase from the 300,000 U.S. dollars minimum in 2003. While the stars of every MLB team take home millions every year, the league's commitment to a minimum salary ensures that even the lowest-paid players receive fair compensation. Despite the league's minimum salary requirement, the top earners in the MLB often receive astronomical paychecks. The league's top earner in 2024 was Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who earned an impressive 62 million U.S. dollars in that season.
