Bernie Show: Cards TV, buy or boycott?

The Bernie Miklasz Show

STLtoday reports the Cardinals are just about set to offer a direct-to-consumer streaming service to the team's fan base. If this is officially green-lighted by MLB -- as expected -- the Cardinals can supplement their arrangement with traditional TV carriers. And the best part is, the historical local-TV blackout rules will go away. Fans will be able to purchase the direct screening without fear of blackout restrictions. It won't matter where they live; the fans will have a new way to access games.

That said, this isn't an optimal time for selling a direct to consumer package. The Cardinals have missed the playoffs five times in the last eight full seasons. They had a dreadful 71-91 season in 2023, and failed to make the postseason for a second year in a row in 2024. The Cardinals are also entering a rebuilding phase that could be moderate or severe, depending on how many veteran salaries are offloaded during the offseason.

Will unhappy or otherwise angry fans want to buy the Cardinals streaming service? Will they take a wait and see approach? Can the Cardinals win them over and count on their business when the team is likely headed for two or three below-average seasons -- or worse? The best marketing is winning. And it might be a while before the Cardinals are ready to win -- and win big -- again. Good luck with the sales pitch.