This happens when two sporting worlds meet in battle. There’s a lot of drama, statistics, and opinions that come into play. Former superstar NFL player Cam Newton has been very outspoken about baseball, calling it a “dying sport” and saying the WNBA will overtake its popularity in the next 20 years. Naturally, Ben Verlander, the brother of MLB pitcher Justin Verlander and a Fox Sports analyst, couldn’t just let this pitch slide. The rest of the exchange is as follows:
Cam Newton’s bold take
Newton didn’t mince words during his Dec. 19 episode of the 4th & 1 podcast. He stated that baseball’s importance was waning, boldly claiming that “Baseball is no longer played by Americans…For those who are offended by baseball, it’s just the truth,” and that the WNBA is He said he is confident that the company will carry out appropriate promotions. If he has a little more of the superstar talent that Angel Reese brings, he could easily top baseball in the near future.
Newton also emphasized that the WNBA’s problem is not talent, but recognition. “The WNBA’s problem isn’t exposure, but that’s the No. 1 problem…They also play basketball all over the world.If you give them the same amount of exposure…they desperately need superstars. That’s why ‘angel leases are so important,’ he added.
Ben Verlander’s powerful comeback
Verlander wasn’t going to allow baseball’s reputation to be tarnished, but he fired back on social media. “With all due respect. I don’t know what you’re saying in this sport you never watch. Baseball is booming. Stay out of your lane,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
And Verlander is absolutely right. MLB enjoyed a blockbuster 2024 season, drawing 71.3 million fans and an average attendance of 29,300 per game. For those who like numbers, the Yankees-Dodgers World Series was the first game in the past seven years to hit record ratings and become the most-watched game.
numbers game
Newton is optimistic about the WNBA’s growth, but the statistics show it has a long way to go. In 2024, the league’s total attendance reached 2.3 million, averaging 9,800 fans per game over a 40-game season. When you compare this to MLB’s huge numbers, the gap appears to be as close as the Grand Canyon.
cultural factors
Baseball’s deep cultural ties to America are also overlooked in Newton’s discussion. It’s not just the game, it’s the hot dogs, Cracker Jacks and the bottom of the seventh inning stretch. Baseball isn’t slowing down. It is evolving, attracting talent from around the world and staying relevant to the ever-changing sporting landscape.
Cam Newton’s hot take has stirred up a lot of buzz, but the statistics tell a different story. While the WNBA is on the rise and deserves praise, baseball remains firmly entrenched as a fan favorite. With attendance numbers and cultural heritage skyrocketing, MLB isn’t going out of the spotlight anytime soon. Sorry, Cam, but it looks like batting averages are still over 1000 in baseball.
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