Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton has stirred the sports world with his controversial statement about the future of Major League Baseball (MLB). On his podcast, 4th & 1, Newton boldly declared that baseball is on the verge of extinction, predicting that the WNBA would surpass MLB in television ratings within the next 20 years.
"Baseball is like a—I hate to say it—a dying sport," Newton stated during the podcast. He added, "Baseball will be surpassed by the WNBA in 20 years. Baseball isn't being played by Americans anymore... It's like, who's really paying attention to baseball? Especially paying attention to baseball in the regular season."
Shifting Demographics and MLB’s Struggles with Younger Audiences
Newton's prediction may not be as far-fetched as it seems. According to recent data from Statista, there has been a noticeable decline in baseball’s popularity among younger Americans. The report reveals that while 64% of sports fans aged 55-64 follow baseball, this drops to 43% among those between 25 and 34, and only 34% among the 18-24 age group. This trend suggests that baseball’s traditional fanbase is aging, with fewer younger people engaging with the sport.
Declining MLB Ratings vs. Rising WNBA Viewership
In addition to demographic changes, Newton's prediction is also supported by recent viewership trends. According to Sports Media Watch, MLB's regular-season television audience fell by 2% in 2023, averaging 1.41 million viewers per game, compared to 1.44 million in 2022.
On the other hand, the WNBA has seen impressive growth in its viewership. In 2024, the WNBA's average audience per game on ESPN surged by 170%, reaching 1.19 million viewers compared to 700,000 in 2023. This sharp increase in WNBA ratings indicates a significant rise in the sport’s popularity, particularly among younger viewers.
Can MLB Survive the Shift?
While Newton’s comments may be provocative, they reflect a broader trend in American sports. As baseball grapples with an aging fanbase and declining viewership, the WNBA's rise in popularity—especially among younger audiences—could suggest that it is slowly filling the void left by MLB. If the WNBA continues to grow its audience and capture the attention of younger viewers, Newton's prediction might come true sooner than expected.
Ultimately, the future of MLB and the rise of the WNBA will depend on how both leagues adapt to the changing landscape of sports viewership and fan engagement in the coming decades.