The MLB is having a bit of a resurgence in the United States after falling behind the NFL and NBA in terms of cultural relevance and popularity. A lot of the MLB’s recent success has come due to its new batch of stars, such as international and generational talent Shohei Ohtani.
Now, one MLB analyst thinks the league should lean into its international presence and add an expansion franchise in a foreign country.
“I understand that what I’m about to tell you faces some battles that will make it tough to occur, such as the economy, such as building a stadium, but how electric would it be for the Dominican Republic to be an expansion city?” Evan Roberts asked co-host Tiki Barber during their Wednesday show on WFAN, according to Awful Announcing. “I don’t think it’s a geography issue; it’s a financial issue.”
Fans reacted to the league potentially adding a team in a foreign market on social media.
“Every player would sign there. They’d become a super team,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“San Juan makes more sense. And if we are eyeing 2029, Havana would make way way more sense,” someone else added.
“While I don’t know enough about the safety/cost type logistics, though from a travel standpoint it’s not a crazy idea,” one fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see if MLB commissioner Rob Manfred gives the idea any consideration.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.