Will the Reds Ever Be Good Again
The Cincinnati Reds are a office of MLB history, widely recognized equally one of the almost storied franchises in baseball. But the Reds accept fallen on difficult times in recent years and with MLB relocation and expansion gaining steam, could the Reds get out Cincinnati?
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is always looking for means to maximize revenue, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. While the league took in $10 billion in revenue in 2019, this past season dealt the league a huge blow. With MLB ratings dropping, another consequence nosotros looked into, and owners focused on profits, relocation becomes a real possibility.
Before we analyze why the Reds might leave Cincinnati, forth with the counterpoints to suggest they volition stay in the region, let's look at the franchise history.
When were the Cincinnati Reds founded?
The Cincinnati Reds are i of the oldest MLB teams, founded in 1881 and joining Major League Baseball in 1882. Formerly known as the Cincinnati Ruddy Stockings (1882-'89) and later the Redlegs (1954-'98), the Reds are i of the nearly tenured members in the National League.
Since the squad was founded, the Reds have bounced effectually a few stadiums. The first games were held at Banking company Street Grounds before League Park opened in 1884. The ballpark was then demolished and replaced on the same grounds in 1902 by Palace of the Fans. It only stood until 1911, when Cincinnati demolished it and built Crosley Field in its place.
The Reds moved into Riverfront Stadium (1970-'96), which was later renamed Cinergy Field (1996-2002). Built along the Ohio River, the stadium served as the home of the Reds, Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Bearcats.
Finally, Great American Ballpark opened in 2003. At $290 million, more than $400 million with inflation today, the new stadium was largely funded past Hamilton County taxpayers. The Reds paid $ii.v 1000000 annually to the county through 2011 and have paid $ane in hire every year since.
After being i of the all-time teams in baseball during the 1960s and 70s, the Reds take but reached the MLB playoffs four times since GAB opened. Unsurprisingly, attendance and fan interest have suffered and that could play a potential role if MLB considers relocating a team.
Why the Reds might leave Cincinnati
If the Reds were consistently competing for the World Series, or the NL pennant at the very least, MLB could live with Cincinnati. But a sub-.500 record in six of the past 7 seasons and zero NLCS appearances since 1995, attendance has plummeted.
- Cincinnati Reds attendance (2003): two.355 million, 29,077 average per game, 69.ane% capacity
- Cincinnati Reds attendance (2008): two.058 million, 25,415 average per game, 60.4% capacity
- Cincinnati Reds omnipresence (2013): 2.534 million, 31,288 average per game, 73.9% capacity
- Cincinnati Reds attendance (2018): one.629 1000000, xx,115 average per game, 47.5% capacity
- Cincinnati Reds attendance (2019): ane.808 meg, 22,329 boilerplate per game
- Cincinnati Reds attendance (2021): 1.505 million, 18,581 boilerplate fans per game
Baseball's popularity is falling, which could be a function of the outcome for the Reds. Just it'south hard to blame cost, given the average cost for Reds tickets has flattened since 2012. In that location are as well other factors at play, which would influence MLB revenue.
- ane,203 average spending/citizen, via Ballotpedia.
- 37th largest media marketplace in the United States
- Cincinnati Reds value (Forbes): $1.085 billion, 27th in MLB
In that location's more than than enough incentive in that location for MLB to consider the Reds as a relocation candidate. But ownership as well plays a huge part in the matter. Bob Castellini currently holds controlling shares of the club and grew up in Cincinnati, then he won't be the one to relocate the team. Just when it comes time for the Castellini family unit to sell the team, bidders will recognize there are better markets out there than Cincinnati.
Potential MLB relocation cities
It'southward a matter of when, non if, an MLB squad relocates. The Oakland Athletics are the strongest candidate, but the Tampa Bay Rays are another possibility to discover a new market. Even if those clubs remain, league executives recognize there are some outstanding markets available.
- LAS VEGAS:
- 39th largest media market in the United States, per MediaTracks.com
- 25th largest population, 667,000
- More than than 42 million people visited in 2019
- NASHVILLE
- 28th largest media market place in the US
- 671,000 population
- Ranked as the eighth best-performing city, which focuses on economic functioning of a region
- Nashville Predators, the city's NHL team, had a 172-game sell-out streak
- SAN JOSE
- $3,004 spending per denizen
- 10th largest population in the United States (1.036 million)
- San Jose projected for rapid economic growth through 2025
- PORTLAND
- $5,907 spending per citizen
- $1.three billion financial commitment for an MLB squad
- Median Household Income: $73,000
This is without even considering a team moving to Montreal, where there is overwhelming support for MLB'due south return.
MLB has every reason to heavily weigh relocating a team to a market place that will generate more acquirement, especially later the COVID-19 pandemic. While expansion might be the preferred choice and could certainly be in the league'due south future, a team moving to a new city is likelier to happen first.
Why the Cincinnati Reds won't relocate
With all that said, baseball fans in Cincinnati have little reason to worry. If whatsoever team is going to move within the next v years, it will be the Athletics or Rays. Even looking past the firsthand future, it's hard to fathom the Reds leaving Cincinnati.
The squad's lease at Great American Ballpark doesn't elapse until 2037 and there'due south nada reason to back out of the contract. At a time when clubs are doing everything possible to cut expenses, the Reds are elated to only pay $i a year to Cincinnati.
Barring unexpected changes for the Castellini family, in that location's also nil to point a auction is on the horizon. Bob Castellini is only 79 and selling the team he grew up rooting for isn't within the realm of possibility for a while. Even if the time comes where the club is put upwards for sale, the Castellini family will likely insist that whoever takes majority control vows to never move the team.
The Cincinnati Reds, despite their struggles, remain an integral part of MLB history. Even as baseball becomes more obsessed with increasing revenue and reducing spending, an iconic franchise won't exist relocated. Ultimately, the Reds will probable win some other World Series before they relocate.
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Source: https://sportsnaut.com/will-cincinnati-reds-relocation-mlb-relocation/
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