Wednesday’s series finale between the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners was televised exclusively on Facebook, and fans on both sides were not happy about it.
MLB announced a partnership with Facebook this year where the social network would air one game a week — 25 games total. The games are only available on Facebook. As you could imagine, that led to some problems for fans who were unable to find the games on their usual channels — Root Sports for the Mariners, and Fox Sports West for Angels fans.
Here’s a look at some of the Twitter reactions from fans unhappy about the arrangement.
So I bought https://t.co/EXgWLkLClQ so I could watch mariners games, but I don’t have Facebook so I can’t watch at all today? Seems a little backwards
— Aaron Brown (@aaron_brown21) June 13, 2018
I refuse to watch on Facebook. I want my Root crew back.
— Megan Daughtrey (@DakKnightRises) June 13, 2018
How crappy, Can't even watch the M's today.
— voomdoom (@voomdoom1) June 13, 2018
The Mariners are in 1st place and their game vs the Angels can only be seen on Facebook? pic.twitter.com/yUjSwAQmXb
— Michael Schmutz (@MSDomer) June 13, 2018
LAME. Ain't nobody wanna watch Baseball on Fakebook. @MLB
— ZDub (@z_wilson10) June 13, 2018
@mlb once again I think it's cool that the game is on Facebook, however to appeal to your ENTIRE audience, you should also air this game on TV either FSW or mlb network, not everyone wants to or has the ability to watch the game on Facebook
— Sean Bennett (@seanfb94) June 13, 2018
Do people even have Facebook anymore? Seriously lame
— Uncle Tico (@UncleTico) June 13, 2018
Penalizing your fans and forcing them to have a Facebook account to watch is not the way to win fans. Even a secondary method using mlb live would work. Facebook should not be endorsed by mlb and the @angels.
— Michael McShane (@netbob) June 13, 2018
Ridiculous
— John (@champions2002) June 13, 2018
The Mariners are in first place in the AL West, while the Angels have a strong record and are a top contender for a wild-card spot. That’s why the game was desirable for Facebook. But the arrangement of only airing the games on Facebook ends up upsetting a lot of fans and could have some backfiring effects.
