The Boston Red Sox have been steadily cutting their payroll in recent years under owner John Henry and the Fenway Sports Group. Despite the team’s decline and rising ticket prices, fans have become increasingly vocal about their desire for change.
Since winning the World Series in 2018, the Red Sox have worsened, currently on track to miss the MLB playoffs for the fifth time in six years. Over this period, the Fenway Sports Group traded away fan-favorite Mookie Betts, let Xander Bogaerts leave in free agency, avoided signing top free agents, and sent Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves in a cost-saving move.
Consequently, the Red Sox payroll has decreased from $233 million in 2017 to $206 million in 2022, and now to $171 million this year, placing them 12th in MLB payroll rankings. This is significantly less than teams like the Toronto Blue Jays ($227 million), Texas Rangers ($226 million), and San Francisco Giants ($209 million).
Despite the team’s struggles and reduced payroll, ticket prices have continued to rise, leading to a decline in attendance at Fenway Park from an average of 36,106 in 2019 to just over 31,000 this season (12th in MLB). Fans are now demanding changes in team management.
In an email interview with Sara Germano of the Financial Times titled “How Liverpool and Red Sox owner John Henry Won it All,” Henry stated that he has no intention of selling the team. He emphasized his and his family’s commitment to Boston, saying, “My wife and I live and work in Boston. We are committed to the city, the region. So the Sox are not going to come up for sale. We generally don’t sell assets.”
