The World Series is over, but baseball’s next big moment won’t happen on the field. It will happen at the negotiating table.

From the World Baseball Classic to the All-Star Game and Milwaukee’s championship celebration, baseball gave fans a year worth remembering. Now, with the labor agreement approaching its expiration, the question is whether players and owners can protect that momentum.

Both sides will say they are acting “for the fans.” But who will make sure fans are more than a talking point?

In my latest column, I look at the audiences baseball attracted throughout the year, what those numbers mean for the sport, and why the people behind them deserve consideration in the negotiations.

This isn’t about asking either side to accept just any deal. The terms matter. But so does a serious commitment to reaching an agreement before a dispute overshadows the game.

Fans invest more than money in baseball. They plan trips, build family traditions and stay awake through extra innings because this might finally be their team’s year. That loyalty should never be taken for granted.

Read the full article: The World Series Is Over. Now MLB Players and Owners Owe Fans a Deal.

The championship has been settled. Now baseball needs to give fans a season to look forward to—not a dispute to endure.