Why does the MLB Draft occur when video games are taking place?

Seriously, does anybody assume that is bizarre? When the Draft was moved to align with the All-Star Break, it appeared like a no brainer to truly put the draft in the course of the All-Star Break. Instead, this weekend, the Draft will start whereas groups are nonetheless enjoying their closing video games heading into the Break. It’s simply so bizarre, like cannibalizing your personal viewership. I suppose it’s considerably according to MLB’s general contempt for the common season, and the concept that nobody goes to revolt when it comes to native viewership simply because a few video games coincide with one thing else… but it surely nonetheless feels suboptimal.

Like, the Draft itself is from 1pm to 7:45 pm ET on Saturday, and from 11:30am to 7:30 pm ET on Sunday. You might have everybody play day video games and push it into the evening. Or, extra duh-ingly, simply push it into Monday and Tuesday. I perceive that MLB would possibly need to have the Draft be extra of a hoopla/spectacle just like the drafts in different sports activities, however come on: Day 1 will function 135 picks in almost seven hours, a price of about 20 picks an hour. One decide each three minutes is an terrible, interminable “pace of play” so far as viewership goes, and the truth that it’s going 4 rounds and groups can play underslot video games actually dents the broad viewers viewing curiosity of all of it. If you need to hype up the primary few picks, begin the Saturday video games earlier, put Round 1 on weekend primetime and let the remainder go after, trailing into the evening. Day 2 is extra rapid-fire but in addition not a lot to look at stay, so they may even put Day 1 on Sunday the place all video games are over earlier than night primetime anyway, and burn off Day 2 when there aren’t any video games.

In the top, this doesn’t matter, it’s simply… bizarre. I suppose like, “Still trying to make the All-Star Game a thing in 2026,” bizarre, in order that tracks.