How does bloom rebuild revenues and enterprise value and protect the fan base if we aren’t competing until a new CBA?

[Bomber1]

Im not sure he does. The era of 3 million + fans a year may be over. Younger people do not follow baseball that much. And those with kids may find cheaper avenues for their entertainment dollars. Throw in the fans who used to attend several games a year who now choose to stay home and watch/listen (due to aging, budgeting, or convenience). And finally, those who are sick of paying good money for a mediocre to bad product. Im just not sure attendance will ever reach its heyday point again.

Dewitts certainly chose the wrong time to let this club become an afterthought….this generation may never return to Busch

It’s been 3 bad, painfully boring years now. You add in another 1 plus a (likely) year lockout and you’re 5 years behind in grabbing the attention from the younger generation added to 5 years of alienating the older one, which we are already seeing the affects from.

It’s not a good situation at all for the front office. They’re gonna have to go bold

Good post Banner.

[Cranny]

First we have to figure out why fans stopped attending games. I may be a tiny minority but the DH is the reason I won't watch baseball. For others it could be the change to the tv deal which requires a $20 per month subscription to watch something that used to be part of the basic package.

Two losing seasons in the last three years may be a factor but I don't think that's the biggest factor. We were 5 games over .500 at the all star break and attendance was poor.

For me and many of us, its Mo and Oli's infuriating style and refusal to make some sound/popular decisions - like not signing/trading better pitchers years ago when we should have, standing pat and not improving on marginally decent rosters that had potential, pulling Q too early in game one then leaving Helsley in too long when he couldn't feel the ball. Not bringing up JJW just to play 40 man roster games with JAGs. Putting Taylor Motter on the roster 4 times in a row.

Mo is gone but Oli still isn't.

And I agree on the TV thing. I don't know the answer but Bloom must figure that out - that's his job and its critical that he shore up that revenue stream in a highly marketable (and non-frustrating) manner.

Carp,
I grew up in North County. Moved several times in my career, both away from STL and back again. Been in Texas 30 years now and doubt I’ll return. But family still in STL and always went to Cardinal games (and Blues games) when I visit.

You perfectly captured my position relative to the Cards. I haven’t gone to a game in the last 2 years because I’m totally sick and tired of Mozo the Clown and Oily Oli’s schtick. (And CRANNY’s, too).

I really don’t hold out any hope that Oily iPad will manage any better without Mozo chirping in his ear than without Mozo’s “helpful input”, so I don’t plan to buy tickets in advance for 2026.

To CRANNY, if Oli and the team perform better, I will send my fervent mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa to you. I sincerely hope we turn it around and look forward to confessing my error.

Cheers to all,
HW72

Now, c’mon Blues, (bleep). The season has started. Play better hock-EE!!!!

I’ve never been an Oli fan. He didn’t have the CV to deserve the job. As far as the payroll, they have to develop players better and supplement as needed from outside. Nothing new about that.

[WLTFE]

Im not sure he does. The era of 3 million + fans a year may be over. Younger people do not follow baseball that much. And those with kids may find cheaper avenues for their entertainment dollars. Throw in the fans who used to attend several games a year who now choose to stay home and watch/listen (due to aging, budgeting, or convenience). And finally, those who are sick of paying good money for a mediocre to bad product. Im just not sure attendance will ever reach its heyday point again.

Dewitts certainly chose the wrong time to let this club become an afterthought….this generation may never return to Busch

It’s been 3 bad, painfully boring years now. You add in another 1 plus a (likely) year lockout and you’re 5 years behind in grabbing the attention from the younger generation added to 5 years of alienating the older one, which we are already seeing the affects from.

It’s not a good situation at all for the front office. They’re gonna have to go bold

I have tix in Section 148...this year the attendance really dropped with fans in the ballpark...boring team, no stars, a [fork]ing Mo-ran in charge and an arrogant out-of-touch owner...I'm not sure they know how to bring the fans back...

[Dazepster]

First we have to figure out why fans stopped attending games. I may be a tiny minority but the DH is the reason I won't watch baseball. For others it could be the change to the tv deal which requires a $20 per month subscription to watch something that used to be part of the basic package.

Two losing seasons in the last three years may be a factor but I don't think that's the biggest factor. We were 5 games over .500 at the all star break and attendance was poor.

For me and many of us, its Mo and Oli's infuriating style and refusal to make some sound/popular decisions - like not signing/trading better pitchers years ago when we should have, standing pat and not improving on marginally decent rosters that had potential, pulling Q too early in game one then leaving Helsley in too long when he couldn't feel the ball. Not bringing up JJW just to play 40 man roster games with JAGs. Putting Taylor Motter on the roster 4 times in a row.

Mo is gone but Oli still isn't.

And I agree on the TV thing. I don't know the answer but Bloom must figure that out - that's his job and its critical that he shore up that revenue stream in a highly marketable (and non-frustrating) manner.

Carp,
I grew up in North County. Moved several times in my career, both away from STL and back again. Been in Texas 30 years now and doubt I’ll return. But family still in STL and always went to Cardinal games (and Blues games) when I visit.

You perfectly captured my position relative to the Cards. I haven’t gone to a game in the last 2 years because I’m totally sick and tired of Mozo the Clown and Oily Oli’s schtick. (And CRANNY’s, too).

I really don’t hold out any hope that Oily iPad will manage any better without Mozo chirping in his ear than without Mozo’s “helpful input”, so I don’t plan to buy tickets in advance for 2026.

To CRANNY, if Oli and the team perform better, I will send my fervent mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa to you. I sincerely hope we turn it around and look forward to confessing my error.

Cheers to all,
HW72

Now, c’mon Blues, (bleep). The season has started. Play better hock-EE!!!!

I’ve never been an Oli fan. He didn’t have the CV to deserve the job. As far as the payroll, they have to develop players better and supplement as needed from outside. Nothing new about that.

Agree on all points.

Draft and Develop better and supplement with outsiders to plug the gaps.

That is the Only path forward for a Mid-Market team in today's baseball climate.

Sadly though, the easiest way to draft better is to hit rock bottom and Garner Top 5-10 picks.

Be nice if similar to other sports one could trade and stockpile picks.

[Cranny]

First we have to figure out why fans stopped attending games. I may be a tiny minority but the DH is the reason I won't watch baseball. For others it could be the change to the tv deal which requires a $20 per month subscription to watch something that used to be part of the basic package.

Two losing seasons in the last three years may be a factor but I don't think that's the biggest factor. We were 5 games over .500 at the all star break and attendance was poor.

For me and many of us, its Mo and Oli's infuriating style and refusal to make some sound/popular decisions - like not signing/trading better pitchers years ago when we should have, standing pat and not improving on marginally decent rosters that had potential, pulling Q too early in game one then leaving Helsley in too long when he couldn't feel the ball. Not bringing up JJW just to play 40 man roster games with JAGs. Putting Taylor Motter on the roster 4 times in a row.

Mo is gone but Oli still isn't.

And I agree on the TV thing. I don't know the answer but Bloom must figure that out - that's his job and its critical that he shore up that revenue stream in a highly marketable (and non-frustrating) manner.

Carp,
I grew up in North County. Moved several times in my career, both away from STL and back again. Been in Texas 30 years now and doubt I’ll return. But family still in STL and always went to Cardinal games (and Blues games) when I visit.

You perfectly captured my position relative to the Cards. I haven’t gone to a game in the last 2 years because I’m totally sick and tired of Mozo the Clown and Oily Oli’s schtick. (And CRANNY’s, too).

I really don’t hold out any hope that Oily iPad will manage any better without Mozo chirping in his ear than without Mozo’s “helpful input”, so I don’t plan to buy tickets in advance for 2026.

To CRANNY, if Oli and the team perform better, I will send my fervent mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa to you. I sincerely hope we turn it around and look forward to confessing my error.

Cheers to all,
HW72

Now, c’mon Blues, (bleep). The season has started. Play better hock-EE!!!!

I’ve never been an Oli fan. He didn’t have the CV to deserve the job. As far as the payroll, they have to develop players better and supplement as needed from outside. Nothing new about that.

Agree on all points.

Draft and Develop better and supplement with outsiders to plug the gaps.

That is the Only path forward for a Mid-Market team in today's baseball climate.

Sadly though, the easiest way to draft better is to hit rock bottom and Garner Top 5-10 picks.

Be nice if similar to other sports one could trade and stockpile picks.

Isn’t it interesting that there appears to be so much difference between let’s say a #5 draft pick and a #25 draft pick? We’re talking about the top 25 high school seniors, junior college, and college juniors and seniors in the entire United States.

[CCard]

So far Moe and BTW, have hemorrhaged 1 million fans from our annual run rate. If we keep losing this could grow to 1.4 or 1.6m many of them might never come back which could prevent us from ever having enough revenue to spend on the free agents or extend the keepers that we need to actually win once we decide we are ready.

Fans aren’t going to buy MLB tickets just because we upgrade our scouting and minors development. Or even just because Mo is gone. It doesn’t help that we refuse to promote exciting prospects in 2025 like JJW just so we can play 40 man roster games when 12 of his draft class have already made the Bigs. Keeping the unpopular Marmol doesn’t help either, and doesn’t save a material amount of money. Trading Willson or Gray for junk (salary relief and then not replacing them on The MLB roster) isn’t going to help - marginal ballpark fans actually like watching former Allstars who win 14+ games or hit 20 HRs and don’t like watching bullpen games. They aren’t what’s keeping fans away.

We are t ever going to win 90 (or much less 100) games with a minimum wage roster of draftees and prospects we downgraded thru trades for, not matter how good our development system gets. (And even if we did - They wouldn’t win in the playoffs because they would have zero experience playing in October and that experience is the most valuable and underrated factor that determines winners). To win We need to supplement heavily with the right veterans and be willing to spend. But if Bloom doesn’t maintain the fan base in the short term, where will that spending ever come from?

Instead he needs to come up with a hybrid path forward and stop all thoughts of tanking. Spend enough on some level of star power at areas of need (we can certainly afford some upgrades now if we don’t wait too long), maybe more popular, experienced and well known coaching staff. And try to win enough to get into the playoffs.

We don’t have to win a pennant in year 1, but we do need to start accumulating October experience and earn some valuable revenue from those extra ticket sales. Momentum is a real thing when if comes to revenue and cash management - the more you win the more you earn and can afford to win more, but it has to all start with a willingness to invest sooner rather than later and not wait until it’s too late to be able to spend. And we can do all this without sacrificing anything significant in our new minor league process.

Simple answer is fans will come out to see talent. If there's even a remote chance of winning, the fans will come out. I don't know how the CBA affects everything but I expect there will be a strike. Who knows how long it drags out and what it'll do to baseball. Something absolutely has to be done about deferred money, it's making a laughing stock of baseball. Just like in real life, the gap between the wealthy and the poor have worsened. Deferred money is just a way to game the system. Aside from that, they absolutely have to sign some upper tier talent in free agency. I know they are scared of bad contracts and they try to get by on the cheap some, but you have to have premium talent to win in baseball. Not only that, but premium talent draws fans. Nobody spends the kind of money to go to a game to watch AAA talent learn and fail.

[ilcubuffs]

Fans would return to see exciting talent, even if that team is not expected to be Central champs in 26 or 27.

What CANNOT happen is the mundane, watching paint dry, inability to run bases, not understanding basic MLB strategy, etc station to station moose drool of MARMOT. Hit and run, hit to oppositive field, steal basis, bunts use every strategy know in MLB. Fans appreciate and support exciting baseball. Add some defensive gems from Winn, Scott, ???? and it may at least want fans to "take a look".

[11WSChamps]

If II & III continue to go beggar thy fans in ‘26, they will getexactly what they richly deserve attendancewise.

Expenses need to match or be less than revenues. Just like with any business.

Yet, the Cardinals were more profitable when they spent more on players. Losing a million fans really decreases revenues, no?

Yep. And cranny should know if a business that once sold a great product but then changes and starts selling an inferior product is going to lose money

He doesn't know [shirt].

That's why he's here being a shill for forum clicks.

[rockondlouie]

More bobble heads!

The Bobblehead King (Mo) is gone, TG!

[Cranny]

If II & III continue to go beggar thy fans in ‘26, they will getexactly what they richly deserve attendancewise.

Expenses need to match or be less than revenues. Just like with any business.

Yet, the Cardinals were more profitable when they spent more on players. Losing a million fans really decreases revenues, no?

Yep. And cranny should know if a business that once sold a great product but then changes and starts selling an inferior product is going to lose money

He doesn't know [shirt].

That's why he's here being a shill for forum clicks.

Actually, he may know "shirt" 11WS, since he very probably may have deeper and longer baseball experience than you.

[11WSChamps]

If II & III continue to go beggar thy fans in ‘26, they will getexactly what they richly deserve attendancewise.

Expenses need to match or be less than revenues. Just like with any business.

Yet, the Cardinals were more profitable when they spent more on players. Losing a million fans really decreases revenues, no?

Yep. And cranny should know if a business that once sold a great product but then changes and starts selling an inferior product is going to lose money

He doesn't know [shirt].

That's why he's here being a shill for forum clicks.

Actually, he may know "shirt" 11WS, since he very probably may have deeper and longer baseball experience than you.

Well you would be the first on this forum and that isn't happening.

I've seen you in baseball discussions and your awareness level is amateurish at best.

[Cranny]

If II & III continue to go beggar thy fans in ‘26, they will getexactly what they richly deserve attendancewise.

Expenses need to match or be less than revenues. Just like with any business.

Yet, the Cardinals were more profitable when they spent more on players. Losing a million fans really decreases revenues, no?

Yep. And cranny should know if a business that once sold a great product but then changes and starts selling an inferior product is going to lose money

He doesn't know [shirt].

That's why he's here being a shill for forum clicks.

Actually, he may know "shirt" 11WS, since he very probably may have deeper and longer baseball experience than you.

Well you would be the first on this forum and that isn't happening.

I've seen you in baseball discussions and your awareness level is amateurish at best.

Your opinion, my friend. Your opinion. That's okay, though, because we all have a right to our opinions. But my guess is I have played a lot more baseball than you, and have been a fan a lot longer than you.

[icon]

What is at great risk here is the fan apathy we have seen this year carrying over into who knows how many more years before the team can be close to competitive again.

Many fans who have found other things to do with their time and money may never return. In my social circle -- and I'm a baseball-loving Boomer -- I hear fewer and fewer people even mention the Cardinals anymore, and when they do, it's not positive. They are at risk of becoming irrelevant. I didn't watch many games this year on TV. And I didn't go to one. The team is boring with a play-not-to-lose manager. And good luck creating new fans.

[11WSChamps]

If II & III continue to go beggar thy fans in ‘26, they will getexactly what they richly deserve attendancewise.

Expenses need to match or be less than revenues. Just like with any business.

Yet, the Cardinals were more profitable when they spent more on players. Losing a million fans really decreases revenues, no?

Yep. And cranny should know if a business that once sold a great product but then changes and starts selling an inferior product is going to lose money

He doesn't know [shirt].

That's why he's here being a shill for forum clicks.

Actually, he may know "shirt" 11WS, since he very probably may have deeper and longer baseball experience than you.

Well you would be the first on this forum and that isn't happening.

I've seen you in baseball discussions and your awareness level is amateurish at best.

Your opinion, my friend. Your opinion. That's okay, though, because we all have a right to our opinions. But my guess is I have played a lot more baseball than you, and have been a fan a lot longer than you.

Whether you or haven't means nothing.

It's what you learn and who you learn from.

You are right about having an opinion you also have the right to be wrong and if you're pitting your baseball knowledge against mine you're wrong.

[Cranny]

Actually, when you tell someone (whom you have no idea actually is) that they don’t know “shirt”, you’re setting up a confrontation. That’s needless, 11WS. Peace.

[WLTFE]

If II & III continue to go beggar thy fans in ‘26, they will getexactly what they richly deserve attendancewise.

Expenses need to match or be less than revenues. Just like with any business.

Yet, the Cardinals were more profitable when they spent more on players. Losing a million fans really decreases revenues, no?

Yep. And cranny should know if a business that once sold a great product but then changes and starts selling an inferior product is going to lose money

He doesn't know [shirt].

That's why he's here being a shill for forum clicks.

+1 Interesting observation...it's difficult to have a discussion when someone who just says they 'played more baseball' on an anonymous forum...I'm guessing that they need attention in their personal life and find it on CT...it's really sad and pathetic...