“Baseball Will Be Surpassed By WNBA”: Former NFL MVP Makes a Shocking Claim About Major League Baseball’s Future 

Hold on, baseball fans; you might not want to hear what Cam Newton just said. Ex-NFL superstar Cam Newton stirred the pot recently, boldly declaring that he believes the WNBA will someday eclipse baseball in popularity. The 2024 season of women’s basketball has been nothing short of historic. From record-breaking viewership numbers to heightened fan engagement, the sport has achieved milestones that were once thought unattainable.

The WNBA in particular has seen unprecedented growth and visibility this year. Yet, even with all this momentum, the sport still finds itself trailing behind the so-called “big three”—football, baseball, and men’s basketball—in terms of mainstream popularity. While the gap has undeniably narrowed, women’s basketball is still in the midst of a transformative journey. It will take time before it can truly rival the financial powerhouses and tradition of America’s most entrenched sports.

Cam Newton makes a shocking claim about MLB

On the December 19 episode of his “4th & 1 with Cam Newton” podcast, Newton wasn’t holding back. When asked about the future of the WNBA, the NFL legend didn’t mince words. “It’s like, who’s really paying attention to baseball? Especially paying attention to baseball in the regular season,” Newton said before dropping this scorching hot take: “Can I make a hot take? I think baseball will be surpassed by WNBA in 20 years.” When another voice on the podcast tried to counter by pointing out baseball’s global reach, Newton wasn’t having it.

“The issue with the WNBA is not exposure, but it is the number one issue… They play basketball globally, too. And if they gave the same amount of exposure… they’re in dire need of superstars. That’s what makes Angel Reese so [important],” Newton added, and if that wasn’t spicy enough, he doubled down: “The WNBA needs stars.” But he wasn’t done, though; Newton also took a few swings at America’s pastime, declaring, “Baseball is a dying sport… Baseball isn’t even being played by Americans anymore… For those who take offense to it, it’s just the truth.” Well, whether you agree with him or not, Cam’s opinion has definitely turned up the heat on the debate over the future of American sports.

Is baseball really declining?

The 2024 season is shaping up to be a make-or-break year for Major League Baseball. While the league touts record revenue as evidence that baseball is thriving, there’s a growing sense that things aren’t as rosy as they seem. Sky-high ticket prices and astronomical player salaries are putting immense pressure on baseball’s old-school business model. Meanwhile, fan attendance and TV ratings are sliding, and the sport’s once dominant grip on the American sports scene is slipping.

In response, MLB introduced rule changes last season to speed up the game and boost scoring—efforts aimed at bringing back excitement and reversing the decline. But will these tweaks be enough? As ticket prices soar, baseball is pricing out more and more fans. The average MLB ticket now costs over $140. Yep, you read that right. And if you’re hoping to catch a game with the LA Dodgers, you’d better be ready to drop a hefty $209 for a seat. The New York Yankees aren’t far behind at $186, while the Boston Red Sox charge $170.

And that’s just the ticket—don’t forget about the $8 hot dogs, $12 beers, and the parking fees that make the experience feel like you’re paying for a small vacation. The rising cost of attending games is just one part of a bigger problem. Baseball’s economic engine depends on fans in the seats and eyeballs on the screen. Even those numbers aren’t looking great. Last season, attendance dropped to 70 million—9 million fewer than in 2007. The heavy hitters of the sport, like the Yankees, Cubs, and Red Sox, all hit their “fan peak” more than 15 years ago. And TV ratings? Yikes. The 2023 World Series saw the smallest audience ever.

So, if you compare that to the 15 million people who tuned in for the NCAA Women’s March Madness final, it’s clear that baseball’s grip on the American sports landscape is loosening. But do you agree with Newron’s take on the league? Share with us in the comments below.