Date

4-7-2026

Department

Graduate School of Business

Degree

Master of Science in Sport Management (MS)

Chair

Jeffrey Briggs

Keywords

Major League Baseball, competitive balance, salary floor, fan engagement, perceived fairness

Disciplines

Sports Management

Abstract

This non-experimental quantitative study examined the relationship between team payroll disparities, fan engagement, and perceptions of fairness in Major League Baseball (MLB). Guided by Competitive Balance Theory, the study sought to determine if perceived fairness influenced fan support for the implementation of a salary floor, and whether those attitudes differed across demographic and team context. Data were collected from 200 adult MLB fans residing in the United States and Canada using an online survey distributed via social media platforms. The instrument included demographic items and Likert-scale measures assessing fairness perceptions, fan engagement, and policy support. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression, moderation testing, and one-way ANOVA procedures. Results indicated perceived fairness was a strong, positive predictor of salary-floor support, even after controlling for income, region, and favorite team payroll tier. Fan engagement did not moderate the relationship. Group comparisons revealed fans of low-payroll teams and those from smaller markets expressed stronger fairness concerns and greater support for a salary floor than fans of high-payroll teams. Income and luxury-tax status showed no significant effects. Findings suggest MLB fans evaluate fairness primarily through structural factors rather than individual demographics. Implications for MLB leadership include the importance of transparent financial policy and competitive equity in maintaining fan trust and engagement.

Download

Share

COinS