3 Reasons Why Removing ATL as MLB All-Star Game Host Was ‘Best for Business’

After the state of Georgia passed its new voting bill, Major League Baseball made an astute business and political move by removing Atlanta, as the host for this year’s edition of the mid-summer classic. Here’s why:

Neutralizes ‘Cancel Culture’

Thanks to its unwillingness to relent to its ‘traditional’ unwritten rules, baseball is a sport that has already lost tremendous traction and appeal to the younger generation of Americans. For a game that markets itself as ‘America’s Pastime’, baseball’s popularity rate across the United States has little to show for that statement. If anything, the MLB has taken a major backseat to the NFL and NBA in terms of appeal to its American audience.

Aside from the World Series, the All-Star Game and its festivities are arguably one of the most lucrative events in the course of the Major League Season. For one, this year’s edition is projected to generate roughly $190 million revenue for the new host, Colorado. On the other hand, however, it’s worth noting that the All-Star Game’s television ratings have hit record lows in their last two editions. With that being stated, the risk just simply wasn’t worth the reward. The game of baseball simply couldn’t afford to be ‘cancelled’ by a country that already seems to favor other sports.

Media Backlash

The MLB had planned to honor the late Henry ‘Hank’ Aaron’s legacy during the midseason showcase. Aside from being a legendary Braves’ slugger, Aaron was known for advocating for racial equality in the United States and in particular, the state of Georgia.

Now aside from Aaron’s legacy, MLB executives have spent the past few months trying to mend baseball’s image towards the African-American community by honoring Negro League players’ legacies and including their statistics into baseball’s ‘mainstream’ record books.

It’s also worth noting that fifty-one percent of Atlanta’s population identifies as African-American. Had MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred Jr., kept the midsummer classic in the state of Georgia, he would haven’t honored Aaron’s legacy or stood in solidarity with the African-American community. Rather, he and his office would have more than likely faced extreme backlash not just from the local Atlanta community, but potentially from the American media.

Player’s Peace of Mind

This goes hand-in-hand with the ‘Cancel Culture’ premise. As stated by Bob Nightengale, by removing the All-Star Game from Atlanta, MLB essentially is protecting its players from an intense three-month long media scrutiny campaign that may in turn prevent potential All-Stars from excelling on the baseball diamond.

Not to mention, it saves players the trouble of having to make the tough moral (and potentially political) decision of whether or not to boycott the All-Star Game, should they be chosen.

Ok, but these are professional athletes, they’re public figures. Shouldn’t they be used to the limelight?

Not necessarily. It’s easy to forget that Major League players are regular human beings with their own respective political, religious, and moral values. Not every player possesses a loud and charismatic personality and desires to be constantly followed by the media.

In conclusion, Major League Baseball dodged a major Public Relations fiasco by removing Atlanta as the host for its All-Star Game. The league simply can’t afford to be cancelled by a country that already prioritizes the NFL and NBA. Sure, Manfred’s office may receive some ‘heat’ from certain media outlets, but overall, the MLB made the best decision for the game of baseball.