South Shore Press Sports Director Tom Barton and SSP contributor Stefan Mychajliw sat down to discuss the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament before turning to growing frustration among fans over Major League Baseball placing New York Yankees games on multiple streaming platforms instead of traditional broadcasts, sparking debate about access, cost, and the future of sports viewing.
Q: Stefan Mychajliw: "How do you explain the lack of excitement in this year’s NCAA tournament?"
A: Tom Barton: "NIL has changed everything. The underdog stories are disappearing, and top seeds are dominating games that used to be competitive."
Q: Stefan Mychajliw: "What does that mean for bettors?"
A: Tom Barton: "You have to adjust. Blindly backing underdogs no longer works. Look at favorites and specific matchups instead."
Q: Stefan Mychajliw: "Let’s switch to baseball. What are you hearing about Yankees games moving to streaming services?"
A: Tom Barton: "Fans are frustrated. To watch every game, you need multiple subscriptions, which can cost hundreds of dollars."
Q: Stefan Mychajliw: "Does that change the feel of opening day?"
A: Tom Barton: "Absolutely. Opening day should be a full slate, shared experience. Splitting games across platforms takes away from that energy."
Q: Stefan Mychajliw: "What should baseball do moving forward?"
A: Tom Barton: "Keep it simple. Make games accessible, build excitement, and remember why fans fell in love with the sport."
Q: Stefan Mychajliw: "Are fans being priced out of watching their teams?"
A: Tom Barton: "In some ways, yes. When games are scattered, loyal viewers feel disconnected and frustrated."
Q: Stefan Mychajliw: "Will this impact baseball’s future popularity?"
A: Tom Barton: "It could. Accessibility drives growth, and limiting access risks losing casual fans who might otherwise become lifelong supporters."