Are ESPN, MLB Network and FOX aware that there are teams West of the Appalachian Mountains?

Question

Because they show nothing but Northeastern Teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, and Mets are the only games you see on ESPN. Heaven forbid if they show a team from the Central or Western Divisions because they start late at night and end after midnight. 

I can understand the time differences, but personally I think ESPN doesnt care about teams in the Central or Western Divisions. Heck even during their Spring Training preview shows, they only focus on the Grapefruit league and they are going to completely ignore the teams in the catus league. 

Did you know that ratings of World Series that didnt feature teams from the East Coast are incredibly low. I mean look at the 2005 and 2006 World Series, they will go down as two of the most forgettable world series ever because the matchup featured teams exclusively in the Central Division, which by the way are the worst divisions in their respective leagues. 

Baseball loves to talk about how great the 2001 World Series was but completely ignore the 2002 World Series, which I think was one of the greatest World Series this decade but you will never hear anything about it because it featured two West Coast teams. 

People are already saying that the 2009 World Series was the greatest World Series in the 2000-2009 decade. They only say that because it featured the Phillies and the Yankees. If it was the Twins and the Brewers, in that world series the games probably wouldn't be broadcasted. 

What do you think of ESPN and FOX's hatred of teams that are not the Yankees, Phillies, Mets and Red Sox.

Mr.B · Accepted Answer

It's not hatred or anything like that. Fox and ESPN are in business - they want the games that will draw the biggest audience and thus translate to higher advertising revenues. They have no mandate to show all the teams or anything like that. They have a mandate to show the most popular games. If the Brewers and Twins had fan bases the size of Boston, New York or even the Cubs, they would get the national broadcasts, too.

Do I wish the Mariners got more national attention? Of course I do. But also understand why they don't.

Albert · Answer

MLB network has been doing a special on each team in a series called "30 Teams in 30 Days".  Mike and Mike in ESPN 2 and ESPN radio has been doing a daily preview of three different teams.  One from the East, one Central, and one West.  While I do agree that there is an East coast bias in sports reporting, a lot of that has to do with two simple facts.  There are more people on the East coast, and the Yankees, Phillies and Red Sox are the three best teams in baseball.

White Sox · Answer

These stations do what will get them more viewers. Since the Yankees and Red Sox are so popular, they show them to get highlights.

The 2005 World Series featured a 14 inning game and a walk-off and grand slam in the same game. That gets no attention.

I do wish the White Sox received more attention. But I gotta deal with it. You know it's bad when you see on Sportscenter's preview "A pitchers dual in the Grapefruit League......see how Joba did." I don't care at all about a Spring Training pitchers dual.

MLB Network is better, but they still rely on East Coast teams for viewing a lot. 

But it's gets them more viewers and TV stations will do anything for that.

AnthonyinMaine · Answer

Because that's were the fans are at. The northeast is where there are the most baseball insane regions in the country. But they don't hate the other teams. The LA Angels and Dodgers are broadcast all the time nationally, as well as the Cubs. So aren't the Braves.

I actually think MLB Network is a little Cubs-centric myself. 

Also the most successful teams (except for the Mets, and that was a fluke season in 2009) are in the northeast.

iHeckler · Answer

ESPN sits right in Boston's backyard. If anyone thinks they aren't getting freebies thrown their way you're crazy..... reasons for them to be biased BUT, politics & advertising dollars are why they show their games.

FOX does a better job showing other games but not much

? · Answer

Yeah I really feel like watching an Athletics - Giants snoozefest on ESPN. If I want surfing lessons I'll come to California. If I want good solid baseball I'll stick to the NorthEast

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Are ESPN, MLB Network and FOX aware that there are teams West of the Appalachian Mountains?

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