Watch CBS News

Declining Attendance Draws Concern From MLB

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Declining attendance at games is drawing concern from Major League Baseball, according to a new report.

Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan reported that MLB is poised to see declining attendance for the fourth year in a row. In 320 games league-wide so far this season, attendance has already dropped 506 tickets per game, Passan reported.

Over the 2,430 games to be played throughout the season, the drop would add up to more than 1.2 million fewer tickets – the worst since the early 2000s, Passan reported.

The steepest drop has been at Dodger Stadium, which saw a year-over-year drop of 7,144 tickets per game, Passan reported. But Wrigley Field also made the story, with a drop of 4,300 attendees per game year over year.

Last week, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said he had "no concerns" over the drop in attendance – at least when it comes to the Cubs.

"You guys know how bad the weather is," Selig said this past Thursday at a meeting with Associated Press sports editors in New York. "I left Phoenix Sunday and it was 96. I flew to Milwaukee and I opened the blinds at home the next morning and it was snowing.

"We're only 1.2, 1.3 percent off (average attendance figures). But we've had horrendous weather, especially in the Midwest. I really don't have any concerns."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.