(02-20-2022, 08:16 PM)lex24 Wrote: I don’t consider Cardinals small market. They are 7th most valuable franchise in baseball according to Forbes. They also draw throughout Midwest.
I also think the Cardinals are one of the best run organizations in all of sports. They are always contending.
This is what I'm trying to say - they are in an area with a relatively low population, small media market, yet they have stable, committed ownership and strong management, leading to consistent contention and a strong fan base. A small market team can consistently contend if they are committed to investing in the team and supporting smart management. Franchises outside of the major markets aren't precluded from being top organizations if they do things right.
The most recent revenue data I found was for 2020. The Cardinals ranked 23rd in estimated revenue among MLB teams. Their annual local TV revenues are approximately a quarter of the Dodgers. However, they rank fourth in MLB in terms of player expenses as a percentage of revenues - they are willing to spend money. They are indeed in the top ten in franchise value as a result of cultivating a loyal fan base while spending to put a consistently competitive team on the field for said fan base, resulting in top-ten attendance despite undoubtably being located in a relatively small market.