MLB doesn't get it

Major League Baseball seems to have its head stuck up where the sun don't shine. According to a post on Engadget, MLB's Advance Media arm that runs MLB.com, is considering a lawsuit against Sling Media. Why? MLB thinks Sling Box helps violate some of the geographical-based rights deal baseball has signed with broadcasters. Really, it's about money and future rights deals with "higher margins."

Here's what they don't get: Because I have Sling Box at home, I end up watching MORE baseball, not less. I can watch the Red Sox games here at my desk at work, on the road in a hotel or where ever I happen to be. If all I had to watch was some random game on TV, particularly when holed up in a hotel 3,000 miles away from home, I wouldn't watch at all. NESN, home to Red Sox baseball, should be thrilled that I am watching more of its programming live - meaning I am not skipping ads.

MLB Advance Media will argue that if I want to watch baseball games online, I should pay for its service. Why bother? they blackout the Red Sox in my area. Plus, I already pay for cable, which gives me all 162 games.

Shouldn't sports leagues encourage fans to watch its teams instead of discouraging them?

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