Cam Newton isn't known for holding back, and his latest controversial take on his 4th&1 podcast is no exception. The former NFL quarterback-turned-media personality made the bold claim that baseball is a "dying sport" and will eventually be overtaken by the WNBA in the next 20 years.
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"Who's really paying attention to baseball — especially paying attention to baseball in the regular season?" Newton said. "Baseball is like a — I hate to say it — a dying sport. I think baseball will be surpassed by the WNBA in 20 years. Baseball ain't even being played by Americans anymore."
While Newton's remarks are certain to raise eyebrows, his claim that baseball is dying doesn't hold up to scrutiny. The WNBA has indeed seen a surge in popularity, largely due to standout players like Caitlyn Clark, but it remains a distant second to Major League Baseball in terms of viewership and overall revenue. The WNBA is still in the midst of growing its audience, and while it is making strides, it is nowhere near challenging MLB's dominance in American sports.
In contrast, Major League Baseball is far from "dying." After a tough 2023 season, the MLB bounced back in 2024, recording its highest attendance in seven years and a record number of streaming minutes on MLB.tv. For the first time in over a decade, MLB saw growth in attendance for two consecutive seasons, indicating a solid fanbase and a product still thriving.
While there's no question that MLB faces challenges, particularly under the leadership of commissioner Rob Manfred, the notion that baseball is on the verge of being surpassed by the WNBA within two decades seems far-fetched. The WNBA still has a long way to go before it can compete with the major American sports in terms of viewership and cultural significance.
