Misleading MLB revenue and attendance?

What is going on in Major League Baseball? The Yankees are about to miss the playoffs, there is talk that the Cubs have a chance at the World Series…and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are going to make the playoffs. Yes, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are in the middle of a playoff chase.

The Rays must be experiencing some sort of crazy upswing in attendance due to the fact that they’re not only in the playoff hunt, but that they could possibly finish with the best record in baseball, right? Not so much. From the St. Petersburg Times,

The Rays have been the worst-drawing team in major-league baseball for the past two weeks, which is a little embarrassing when the rest of the country keeps calling Tampa Bay the feel-good story of 2008.

…in recent days, the market has set a new standard for disinterest considering this is Tampa Bay’s very first pennant race. For three consecutive games against the American League West-leading Angels last week, the Rays drew the day’s smallest crowd in the majors. Then the Blue Jays showed up this week, and fans grew even more scarce.

“The TV ratings are high, and that’s a great sign, but it hasn’t translated to the number of people at Tropicana Field. It really takes the wind out of our sails,” Silverman said. “We’ve poured our hearts and souls into making this a great draw, and a great fan experience. And to come home after a great road trip and have … the smallest crowds in major-league baseball was discouraging.

…The Rays, like most teams, do not release their season ticket figures, but it is believed they are in the 6,000-8,000 range, which would put them 29th in the majors, and a long way from 28th.

As I’ve mentioned on this blog before, baseball’s revenue is on the rise. But is the increase in revenue misleading? We’ve seen with hockey that inflated ticket prices can show an increase in revenue that may or may not be there. Is baseball’s revenue misleading? Sure, attendance has increased, at least according to reports, but a look at the bottom five teams in attendance shows actually shows a decrease in average attendance from 2007 to 2008 (19,979 average attendance in 2007 and a 19,856 average attendance in 2008) while there has been an increase in ticket sales of more than 10.8% for the 2008 season.

Baseball, on its face, has taken great strides to overcome various obstacles; the strike of 94, the Mitchell Report, that tie in the All-Star game a few years ago…it should be proud of its accomplishments.  But, before everyone believes that baseball is doing better than ever before?  Take a closer look at the numbers.  Don’t believe me? Ask the Tampa Bay Rays.

St. Petersburg Times: Pennant Fever? Not Around Here