Seattle Sports host Mike Salk believes the record-setting audience for the 2026 World Baseball Classic final should prompt Major League Baseball to take a closer look at how it presents its own product to a national audience, particularly as the league continues to navigate a rapidly shifting media landscape.
Speaking Friday on Seattle Sports’ Brock & Salk, Salk pointed to the 10.7 million viewers across FOX and FOX Deportes for the championship game. He said it is clear evidence that interest in baseball remains strong when the stakes and presentation resonate with fans.
Rather than viewing the World Baseball Classic as an outlier, he argued that it should serve as a blueprint for how the sport can capture broader attention.
“Major League Baseball probably has some work to do,” Salk said. “Major League Baseball probably needs to figure out why so many people were interested in this exhibition and try to learn from it. Without necessarily turning their game into it on a daily basis. Learn from what it is, but recognize that the audience is out there.”
The title game, a 3-2 victory for Venezuela over Team USA, became the most-watched World Baseball Classic telecast ever. It delivered a significant increase compared to the 2023 final, reinforcing that baseball can still generate mass appeal when positioned correctly. For Salk, that reality directly challenges the notion that the sport lacks relevance with modern audiences.
“Don’t tell me that baseball isn’t popular. Yes, it is,” he said. “Baseball is exceedingly popular. People love the game of baseball. You just got to figure out the best way to give it to them.”
Salk suggested part of the issue lies in how MLB packages its national broadcasts. He questioned whether repetitive matchups and limited variety contribute to viewer fatigue. He also emphasized the need to build stronger connections between fans and players, highlighting personality and emotion as key to engagement.
“Maybe the audience is sick of getting Red Sox-Yankees for the nine-millionth time,” Salk said. “Maybe the audience is sick of the same five teams over and over again on national platform. The audience needs to have its stars promoted better.”
In addition to marketing and scheduling considerations, Salk indicated that players themselves can play a role in elevating the sport’s visibility by embracing opportunities to showcase their passion and individuality. He framed that approach as essential in an era where fans increasingly gravitate toward personalities as much as on-field performance.
Despite ongoing debates about pace of play and attention spans in a digital-first environment. Salk dismissed the idea that baseball’s format prevents it from thriving. He argued the World Baseball Classic shows a clear appetite for the sport when presented with urgency and purpose.
“There is really an opportunity there for the game of baseball,” Salk said. “There’s still plenty of people out there who want to watch baseball. Who are willing to watch a long-form game like that. You just need to find the best way to package it.”
As MLB looks ahead, Salk’s comments reflect a growing sentiment across sports media that the league does not need to fundamentally change its identity, but rather refine how it delivers its biggest moments.
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