Report: MLB posts record revenues in 2018 despite drop in attendance

Major League Baseball enjoyed a record-setting 2018 with revenues of $10.3 billion, sources told Maury Brown of Forbes.

Moreover, the league reportedly saw an increase for a 16th consecutive year for baseball-related revenues despite a 4 percent drop in attendance due in large part to inclement weather in the spring.

Sponsorship earnings were up even though there were no big new television deals in play, Brown notes.

More avenues for income will present themselves in 2019 and beyond as a streaming media rights deal with DAZN is set to kick in. In addition, a new $5.1-billion television extension with FOX begins in 2022 and runs through 2028.

ESPN and TBS currently broadcast national games, and the league could work out new deals with those two in the next few years as well.