The reality of the situation is that the New York Yankees have lost the room. In this day and age, there's never been more access to information and video footage, and there's never been more connectivity among the fanbase. The proof that the fans have in front of them, and the conversations they are able to push forward hadn't been possible to this degree ever.
The many forms of media have enabled pressure-packed, full-court presses on any hot button issue. This goes far beyond sports, impacting society massively in politics, business, international affairs, etc.
In the case of the Yankees, they are as high-profile as it gets in terms of the most important things that don't really matter in the grand scheme of the world.