A lengthy MLB lockout would hurt every team, but the Blue Jays and Rogers might have the most to lose. Toronto's business engine runs on baseball being played.

The attendance numbers are staggering for a last-place club. The Jays sold out Rogers Centre for 61 of 81 home dates in 2026.

Mark Shapiro highlighted that support at his season-ending press conference. “I think about the fact that we finished the season with 60 straight sellouts,” he said.

He added that “over 1,000,000 people were finding a way to watch us, either on streaming or on Sportsnet throughout the season, across the country.”

That's the problem. Rogers owns the team, the stadium and the networks, and a lockout shuts off all three revenue streams at once.

The Jays fill close to 160 days of programming, much of it in prime time. Losing that would leave a massive hole.

A long lockout could test Blue Jays fans' goodwill

How long does fan loyalty last? Probably not as long as Rogers would like.

Much of 2026's buzz was carryover from the World Series run. By season's end, it was the team's second last-place finish in three years.

Fans are already frustrated with Rogers. Sportsnet's decision to move Monday night NHL games, including 13 Leafs games, to streaming sparked widespread blowback.

There's speculation the Jays could follow that model with some games shifting to Sportsnet+. Shapiro's “streaming” mention didn't feel accidental.

The labour fight doesn't look close to a resolution. The league offered to delay a salary cap until 2028, and the union's response was firm.

“MLB owners continue to propose blowing up the current system and replacing it with one designed to line their pockets and increase their franchise values,” the MLBPA said in a statement.

Rogers needs this lockout over fast. A fan base that showed up for a last-place team won't wait forever, especially if it's asked to pay more to watch when games return.

Goodwill is like a full gas tank. It gets you a long way, but a long lockout is the kind of road trip that drains it without a station in sight.

The CBA expires Dec. 1. If the stoppage drags into spring, Toronto might find out exactly how deep that well of fan support runs.