What we know about the layoffs hitting the Orioles

Key Points:

• The Baltimore Orioles laid off 16 team employees across various business departments, including the employee who played Mr. Splash and sometimes donned the Oriole Bird costume, as well as longtime staff like the team photographer and senior graphic designer.
• Despite these layoffs, the Orioles emphasize that the changes were about reshaping roles and not reducing overall headcount, with ongoing recruitment for critical positions planned.
• The organization is not anticipating further layoffs related to the upcoming MLB lockout and is focused on stabilizing the workforce after recent changes, according to a memo from President of Business Operations Catie Griggs.
• The Orioles face challenges both on and off the field, with declining attendance and a struggling team following recent losing seasons, while the future of their regional sports broadcaster MASN remains uncertain amid broader MLB broadcasting discussions.
• Attendance has dropped significantly, with Baltimore ranking 24th out of 30 MLB teams in total attendance this season and having drawn over 2 million fans only once in the past nine years, reflecting waning fan engagement amid team performance struggles.