MLB fans putting decreasing value on ballpark experience

The Rays are surely not alone in their problems on the attendance front. At present, only Philadelphia, Boston, and Minnesota average at least full capacity for their home games. Although there are always days on which the matchup or something else of interest will encourage fans to fill-out a ballpark, it is noticeable from camera shots during television broadcasts that there is no shortage of available seats at the majority of games. This shift toward watching games at home or in a restaurant is happening because fans are placing a decreasing value on the ballpark experience. It is a phenomenon that is at best being sped-up by the economic downturn (and not specifically because of it). And it is one that is likely to continue for some time, as evidenced by the leaked financial statements of several Major League Baseball clubs, which show that the cash cow is broadcast rights and not stadium concessions. Further, now that fewer people are going to the ballpark and that there are enormous sums of money to be had from broadcast rights, teams’ proposals for new stadiums may be an even tougher sell. — Forbes