The MLB Wants to Make It Big in Asia. Shohei Ohtani Can Help
Mar 19, 2024
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MLB aims to grow in Asia with Shohei Ohtani at the forefront. His $700 million deal with the Dodgers and impact on global fan engagement. The strategic move into the Asian market and the importance of media rights in MLB's global expansion.
Shohei Ohtani's exceptional talent can help MLB expand in Asia by attracting new fans and lucrative business opportunities.
MLB aims to increase revenue by showcasing players like Ohtani and engaging with fans in Asian markets despite challenges like time zone differences.
Deep dives
Shohei Otani's Rise in Major League Baseball
Shohei Otani, a talented two-way player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has become a baseball superstar. With a $700 million contract, he is seen as a generational player who can help Major League Baseball expand its audience in Asia. Otani's exceptional pitching and hitting abilities have drawn significant attention and put him at the forefront of growing the sport globally.
Asian Representation in Major League Baseball and Business Opportunities
The inclusion of Asian players like Shohei Otani in Major League Baseball not only enhances diversity but also presents lucrative business opportunities. Having Asian stars like Otani can attract new fans, particularly in Asia, contributing to increased media rights revenue and sponsorship deals for MLB teams. The league's strategic moves, such as playing games in Asian markets and featuring Asian players, aim to foster stronger connections with fans and enhance global viewership.
Challenges and Revenue Prospects for Major League Baseball's International Expansion
While Major League Baseball's expansion into international markets, especially Asia, presents promising revenue prospects, challenges like time zone differences and limited game accessibility in Asian countries exist. Despite these obstacles, MLB anticipates significant revenue growth, with expectations of generating up to $100 million annually through initiatives like showcasing players like Shohei Otani and engaging with fans in regions like Seoul to strengthen relationships and drive financial gains.
Major League Baseball has a big problem: it’s tapped out on new fans in the US. So it's looking abroad to Asia to bring in new ones. Japanese baseball prodigy Shohei Ohtani is crucial to that plan.
On today’s Big Take podcast, Bloomberg’s Janet Paskin discusses Ohtani’s meteoric rise, his $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his pivotal role in the league’s global ambitions.