Survey: What Fans Think of New MLB Jerseys and League Expansion

Harry Sadoun Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

The start of the 2024 MLB season is right around the corner with the Los Angeles Dodgers set to take on the San Diego Padres in the league’s first Korea Series. Ahead of the new year’s first pitches, we at VegasInsider wanted to get a feel for fans' opinions on some of the questions facing Major League Baseball right now. We focused in on two areas; the highly discussed Nike/Fanatics uniforms, as well as league expansion. We asked over 2,000 MLB fans across the United States their thoughts on the matter. The topline results are below, with the methodology and link to the full data set at the bottom of the page.

Jerseys

Q: What is the worst part of the new 2024 MLB uniforms?

The most surprising information to come out of this survey is that over 1 in 4 baseball fans does not think anything is wrong with the new uniforms being used for the 2024 season. Despite much public uproar from fans and players alike, 26% of fans found no issues with the new Nike designed and Fanatics produced outfits. In fact, not thinking there is anything wrong with them was the most common response by fans who had seen the new uniforms. Millennial fans were the least likely to see a problem with them, with nearly 1 in 3 respondents between the ages of 35 and 44 listing that as their answer.

For fans who did have issues with the outfits, the number one grievance is the quality of the fabric. In a Seinfeld sketch come to life, what was supposed to be a light, breathable jersey ended up feeling and looking cheap. 16% of fans said this was their biggest complaint with the threads. The second biggest issue fans named are the infamous see-through pants. A major point of contention for players and their representatives, the numbers suggest that the players have a bigger issue with it than their favorite stars. 12% of respondents cited this as their main concern. While fans might not have as much of an issue with the lower half of the outfits, they aren’t the ones being asked to inadvertently show off their underwear at work.

Next Expansion City

Q: Which city rumored to be a possible expansion site should MLB add a team in next?

We also asked fans to tell us which city they believe should get the next MLB team if and when the league expands again. Commissioner Rob Manfred has spoken openly about the possibility of expansion so it seems to be a matter of time before a new city (or two) gets a new franchise. The options listed for respondents to pick from are all cities that have either been mentioned by Rob Manfred or have a major organization that was created for the purpose of bringing a major league team to that location. Fans were also given the option to write in their own option, and those results can be seen here.

Nashville came in as the top choice among fans to host the next MLB team, with 27% naming that as the best spot for the next squad. Music City already hosts the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and the NHL’s Nashville Predators and the state of Tennessee has a basketball team as well in the Memphis Grizzlies, all they’re missing is a baseball team. Nashville’s popularity as a response was also likely fueled in part by the lack of MLB teams in the southeastern region of the country. This is also likely why so many fans chose cities in North Carolina. Charlotte and Raleigh accounted for 17% of the total responses, with Charlotte being the second most common choice (13% of total responses). This could also be thanks to excitement surrounding the official launch of North Carolina sportsbooks. Residents in the state gearing up to bet on MLB action for the first time should make sure to check out our North Carolina betting promos to find the best offers available.

Mexico City received the third most votes, with 11% of fans supporting the addition of another international team. There was support for teams outside the continental United States beyond that as well. Montreal was chosen by 6% of fans and Vancouver was the choice of 4%. Montreal received the support of 57% of Blue Jays fans, but Vancouver got 0 votes from their fellow Canadian fans. San Juan, Puerto Rico was also suggested as an option by a fan, highlighting the island’s love of the sport.

Salt Lake City received 10% of the votes, with roughly 1 in every 5 baseball fans in the western part of the United States supporting SLC as the next city to join MLB. Of the write-in answers, 60% of fans thought that Las Vegas should get the expansion team, suggesting a direct competition between the Athletics and the new franchise. Austin, Texas, San Antonio, Texas, and Sacramento, California were also each suggested by multiple fans.

Methodology

The research was commissioned by SportsHandle and carried out by Research Without Barriers (RWB). All surveys were conducted between 27th February 2024 and 29th February 2024. The sample comprised 2,006 MLB fans across the United States.

All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2023) in the UK and ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines. RWB is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and is fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act (2018).

The raw data can be found here, where you can filter the results based on teams, state, and demographics.

Harry Sadoun

Harry Sadoun is a seasoned sports betting expert with a wealth of experience in the iGaming and sports betting industry. Over the past 5 years, he has established himself as a go-to source for insightful analysis and predictions at Vegasinsider. With a passion for sports, Harry specializes in football, basketball, tennis, rugby, and soccer, showcasing a diverse understanding of athletic competitions. Harry's unique approach to sports betting is rooted in a combination of statistical analysis, in-depth research, and a keen understanding of the dynamics that influence game outcomes. His expert opinions and strategic insights have made him a trusted voice in the industry, guiding both novice and seasoned bettors alike. With an unwavering commitment to delivering accurate and up-to-date information, Harry Sadoun continues to be a prominent figure in the world of sports betting, providing enthusiasts with the tools they need to make informed decisions. More from Harry Sadoun