FLUSHING, NY – Major League Baseball is following the lead of a Rikers Island inmate. The residents of the largest penal colony in the states will take full advantage out of any courtesy handed to them. If you give them an inch they’ll take a foot, if you give them a foot they’ll take a yard. MLB is doing the same with its constant money-grabbing ways.
With a TV revenue that brings in astronomical figures, and the gouging ticket prices among its many cash flows, MLB has now gone for the kill by using players as billboards. The purity of the games is gone with the New Era emblem on the side of the caps, and since the beginning of last season the Nike swoosh logo on the front of the uniform shirts. Add that with patches on sleeves that name corporations to the new eye sore that made its debut during these current playoffs.
The Strauss emblem, which is planted on the side of each player’s batting helmet, is the latest addition. A German work clothing company has made its way onto the playing field so the world can see while MLB counts its new found riches. As the league gets richer during this postseason the fans get poorer, as they get caught up in playoff fever which leads to their pockets getting empty. MLB has sold its integrity by milking whatever it can get from America’s Pastime as they put the word Greed before Profit.
Thank you MLB for contributing to the nation’s inflation. A domino effect has taken place when Nike keeps raising their prices for its apparel, while New Era’s caps are up to 55 bucks. Now that Strauss’ name is all over America’s television screens they’ll follow the lead and jack up their price tags.
It may look like a great business decision by these money grubbing corporations, but the reality of it is we the consumers are the ultimate suckers.