Samson: What the MLB schedule will look like and why there won't be an increase in day games

David Samson points out that money is still in control when it comes to the MLB schedule

Major League Baseball announced their return plan, with Opening Day scheduled for July 23 or 24. David Samson sat down on his podcast "Nothing Personal with David Samson" to give his predictions on what these 60 games will look like.

In this episode of "Nothing Personal," Samson addresses questions and predictions from fans regarding the timing and fan availability of games this season. 

"There is a very big misunderstanding going on and I want to cure it for you.  People are saying given COVID-19, why can't we eliminate all of the blackout rules in baseball," he prompted. "Why not just lift the blackouts? The answer is the TV contracts don't allow it."

He gave an inside look at what goes into these television contracts saying, "When they do rights deals with the baseball team ... they are buying the exclusive right in the home territory of that team, and those home territories are dictated by the rules of Major League Baseball."

In sports, it usually all boils down to money and this case is no different. "They're not gonna wave the blackout rules, too much money involved," Samson said.

Samson:

He then moves on to the next question most MLB fans have, which is in regards to day games. People are wondering why the league wouldn't have games all day long since people are inside more than usual.

The answer to this question, is once again, money.

"There will not be more afternoon games. Why? Money. TV," Samson says. "When the networks are buying the rights to show the games, [teams] work with the networks to provide them games in prime time."

Samson points out that "afternoon games are watched by fewer people ... afternoon games get lower ratings. Period."

He concludes with a prediction saying, "Mark my words, when the schedule is released, there will be the exact same number of afternoon games as there always are ... And they'll all be based on the travel of the clubs, not for the convenience of the fans."