Will There Be MLB Baseball in 2022?
Contents
We take a look at the chances of MLB baseball returning in 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Introduction
It is looking more and more likely that there will not be any Major League Baseball in 2022. This is due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to the postponement or cancellation of many professional and collegiate sporting events. The 2022 MLB season was originally supposed to start on April 1st, but it is looking increasingly unlikely that this will happen.
With the way things are going, it seems like it would be a miracle if there is any baseball at all in 2022. The pandemic has caused immense economic damage and many people are still struggling. It doesn’t seem like there will be much demand for baseball when there are so many other things going on in the world. Also, it is unclear how long the pandemic will last and if things will improve by next year. Even if the pandemic ends soon, it would take some time for things to return to normal. All of these factors make it seem unlikely that there will be an MLB season in 2022.
What Happened in 2020?
The global pandemic has been hard on everyone, and that includes MLB baseball. The 2020 baseball season was shortened, and there is a possibility that the 2021 season may not happen at all. So, the question is, will there be MLB baseball in 2022?
The Cancellation of the Season
The 2020 Major League Baseball season was supposed to be a special one. It was the game’s 150th anniversary. But the season was not to be.
On March 12, 2020, MLB announced that because of the coronavirus pandemic, the season would be delayed indefinitely. Then, on June 23, the league announced that the season would be cancelled entirely. It was the first time since 1892 that there would be no baseball World Series.
Despite the cancellation of the 2020 season, MLB owners and players have been working hard to ensure that there will be baseball in 2021. And it looks like they are on track to make that happen.
The Financial Struggles of the MLB
The MLB has been facing financial struggles for a while now, and 2020 was no different. In fact, the pandemic only made things worse. According to Forbes, the league lost $3.1 billion in 2020. This is due to a variety of factors, including a decrease in ticket sales, concession revenue, and merchandise sales.
In order to make up for some of these losses, the MLB has been relying on television deals and other agreements with media companies. However, these deals are not enough to cover the entire loss. As a result, the MLB has been forced to make some difficult decisions, such as reducing the salaries of players and front office staff.
The MLB is also facing another financial struggle: the 2022 World Series. The league has already announced that the 2021 World Series will be held in October 2021 instead of its usual November timeframe. This is due to the fact that the MLB wants to avoid any potential conflict with the 2022 Winter Olympics, which are scheduled to take place in February 2022.
However, this decision could backfire financially. October is typically a busy month for baseball fans, as it is when the playoffs and World Series take place. But moving the World Series to February could mean that fewer people will watch it because they will be focused on other events, such as the Olympics. This could lead to even more financial losses for the MLB.
Only time will tell if the MLB will be able to recover from its financial struggles. But one thing is for sure: 2021 is shaping up to be an interesting year for baseball fans
What Does the Future Hold?
It’s been a tough few years for baseball. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 season, and the 2021 season is currently in jeopardy as well. But what does the future hold for America’s pastime? Will there be baseball in 2022?
The Possibility of Another Cancellation
In the 2020 season, there were several cancellations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the 2021 season is currently underway, there is a possibility that the season may be cancelled again. If the season is cancelled, it is unclear if there will be baseball in 2022.
Many factors play into whether or not baseball will be played in 2022. The most important factor is the health and safety of the players, coaches, and staff. If the pandemic continues and there is no vaccine available, it is unlikely that baseball will be played.
Another significant factor is money. The cancellation of the 2020 season led to a loss of revenue for many teams and organizations. If the 2021 season is also cancelled, it is unlikely that baseball will be able to recover financially.
It is also important to consider how long it would take to resume play if the 2021 season is cancelled. It took several months for baseball to get back up and running in 2020 after the pandemic first hit. If the 2021 season is cancelled, it is possible that baseball may not return until 2022 or 2023.
All of these factors must be considered when determining if there will be baseball in 2022. at this time, it is impossible to say for certain what will happen. However, the possibility of another cancellation cannot be ruled out.
The Possibility of Expansion
In order to maintain 30 teams, two more teams would have to be added by the 2022 season. This is a distinct possibility as Major League Baseball has been looking to add more teams for some time now.
There are several markets that could potentially support an MLB team including Nashville, Charlotte, Vancouver, Portland, Las Vegas, and Montreal. All of these cities have viable stadiums and a population that would support a team.
If MLB does decide to expand by two teams, it is not yet known which cities would be awarded a franchise. However, it is likely that the new teams would be placed in the American League and National League West divisions in order to keep an even balance between the two leagues.
Conclusion
As of right now, it is impossible to say for certain whether or not there will be MLB baseball in 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the future of the sport, and it is unclear how the situation will develop over the next year or so. However, it remains possible that baseball will return in some form in 2022, and fans should hope for the best.