WCPO: Delay to MLB season could hurt seasonal workers, businesses
UC economics professor says areas outside of downtown might be affected, too
As Great American Ball Park hosted a hiring fair for seasonal workers on Wednesday, Major League Baseball and its Players Association remained at a labor impasse.
With MLB players currently locked out by the owners and Opening Day scheduled for March 31, time is running out for the season to start on time. According to UC Economics Professor-Educator Erwin Erhardt, III, PhD, a delayed beginning to the baseball season could have wide-ranging economic ramifications, affecting season workers and businesses in the Greater Cincinnati area.
UC Economics Professor-Educator Erwin Erhardt, III, PhD.
“I think we’re looking at roughly $350,000 to $500,000 on some weekends, depending on who’s playing — the Braves, the Cubs, St. Louis Card[inals] always bring their fans in with them,” Erhardt told WCPO. “So, it’s a huge draw. That means a lot in terms of income for the city.”
Erhardt said the bulk of the dollars spent goes to hotels and restaurants in downtown Cincinnati, but he also noted the money spills out of the downtown area, with fans traveling to sites such as the Cincinnati Zoo and Kings Island.
The doubt surrounding the start of the MLB season is a headache for business owners, too.
“You don't know how to plan,” Erhardt said. “You don't know how many people to have on staff, and albeit staff is sometimes difficult to get these days, but you don't know what's going to be coming at you. How many people still come, for example, down to The Banks.”
Featured image: UC Economics Professor-Educator Erwin Erhardt, III. Screenshot courtesy of WCPO video.
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Recent advances may speed time to endometriosis diagnosis
March 16, 2026
The average time to clinical diagnosis of endometriosis is nine years. Definitive diagnosis of the disease is difficult, and until recently, has relied on laparoscopic surgery. Now, as Medscape recently reported, novel clinical recommendations, advanced diagnostic tools and research into inflammation and immune responses, are bringing promise that women with endometriosis will find relief sooner and without surgery, according to experts, including Katie Burns, PhD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine associate professor.
Position-specific helmets may not improve protection
March 16, 2026
Local 12 highlighted a new study by biomedical engineering researchers that looked at how well new football helmets protected players from impacts that can cause concussions.
UC biologist talks about 'pearmageddon'
March 16, 2026
WLWT talks to UC biologist and Department Head Theresa Culley about invasive, nonnative Callery pear trees that are spreading across Ohio forests after they were introduced by landscapers more than 50 years ago.