r it takes to make a profit and media is one major reason the cost of paying baseball players has risen. The media reports on every aspect of the game now, whether it’s on the field or off. The media causes people to buy clothing or equipment based on what professional baseball players are wearing or using. Advertising has grown from using just normal models, to using super-stars. Many children look up to these athletes and even adults feel that if they have the clothing or equipment endorsed by famous athletes they will have better results in the game of baseball. Marge Schott, the former owner of the Cincinnati Reds, used her team for advertisements and promoted her car dealership through the Reds organization. Schott owned a car dealership in Cincinnati and used the Reds advertising facilities at the ballpark, the program guide and etc. for free advertising of the dealership(Zimbalist). Also, she wouldn’t allow any other car dealers in Cincinnati have access to the Reds’ media outlet. Schott used the team as a business and only cared about the total profit and not winning. This is seen all the time in baseball and contributes to baseball being more about business then the play on the field. Unfortunately, baseball has become more concerned about profit and less about winning percentage pennants won. It’s good there is still fans in the country that ignore all the economics about baseball and just love to watch the game being played. Media has played the biggest part in exposing baseball and making it more of a business then it should be. Baseball is a growing business in the 21st century and it can only expand. The economics of baseball is not that noticeable, if it is ignored and there is more focus on winning and losing. Hopefully, people realize this and won’t help Major League Baseball go down the tubes....
