Pirates fans should be concerned with depressing drop that could limit payroll

Pittsburgh Pirates fans are growing increasingly frustrated at an exponential rate with the team. It's showing in team attendance, and understandably so. The front office has made poor decision after poor decision, especially regarding the lineup's inability to give the pitching staff run support.

They're even more frustrated by the refusal of Bob Nutting to give the front office much to work with as well. This has all led to a 38-55 record.

The proof is in the pudding with their attendance this year. According to North Shore Nine, home attendance for Pirates games is down by about 15% from last year.

Pirates' decreasing attendance could hurt team's ability to compete

Unfortunately, the Pirates may use this as an excuse to keep payroll low, or even potentially slash it over the next year. It wouldn't be the first time the Pirates blamed low payroll on low attendance. However, this is a poor excuse at best, and outright insulting to the fanbase, which is among the most loyal in sports.

In May, Bob Nightengale reported that the Pirates are one of the most profitable organizations in all of MLB. According to Forbes, the Pirates made $326 million in revenue throughout 2024. They have just $47 million in operating income. Despite such totals, the Pirates were 22nd in Opening Day payroll at just under $89 million.

What's even more frustrating is that a handful of MLB teams with a similar (or even lower) 2024 revenue than the Pirates spent far more on their payroll. The Arizona Diamondbacks only made $2 million more in revenue with an operating income in the negatives, yet their payroll to start 2025 was just over $188 million, nearly $100 million more than the Pirates'. The Kansas City Royals made $324 million in revenue with a $5.6 million operating income, yet had an OD payroll of just over $125 million. The Detroit Tigers generated $320 million in revenue and $30 million in operating income, yet still managed a payroll of just over $145 million to begin the 2025 season.

The Pirates are 26th in attendance in 2025 with a payroll that's even more disappointing. It's worse once you consider that two teams are playing in minor league stadiums this season. When the Pirates are making hand over fist in revenue, and their biggest free agent additions to the lineup are Tommy Pham and Adam Frazier, fans are understandably going to put their foot down.

But hopefully that response doesn't set the franchise back even further.