Baseball United: A New Frontier from the United Arab Emirates

• Games played in 1 convertible stadium in Dubai to seat 6,500–37,000
• 4 Teams: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Karachi
• Season: Just 9 games per team 
• Ownership: Major MLB names—Barry Larkin, Adrian Beltre, Robinson Cano, Robinson Chirinos, Elvis Andrus

Savannah Bananas–style rules:

• Inning-Ending Fireball: 
• Designated Runner: 3x per game.
• No Extra Innings: Ties are resolved via Home Run Derby.
• Moneyball At-Bats: Up to 3 per game, doubling all runs scored
• Cricket dominates Gulf region
• Dubai’s population is 90% expatriates, could help broaden interest.
• Future presence in the World Baseball Classic?

Reflections of LIV for Baseball United Path

• Impact on LIV with PGA as a rival
• Controversy on poaching players 
• Jack Nicklaus wins $50 million defamation judgment after company falsely tied him to LIV support.

🔭 Looking Ahead

• Potential MLB affiliations with international winter leagues
• Minor leaguers finding opportunities in Dubai, Asia, and the KBO
• The Rays' roster churn, offseason moves, and Tropicana Field progress
• Insights into the WPBL (Women’s Professional Baseball League) draft
• MLB broadcast access concerns and comparisons to MLS/Apple TV https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-announces-media-rights-deals-with-espn-nbc-netflix
• Thoughts on upcoming MLB–MLBPA CBA
• Navigating evolving baseball ecosystem across the globe

Baseball United & Global Pathways

• MLB teams could form informal player-development relationships with the league—similar to the Rays’ connection with the ABL’s Perth Heat.
• Discussion of how U.S. minor leaguers might embrace winter opportunities in Dubai for both life experience and player growth.
• Rays Bob Seymour and Forrest Whitley released to pursue international contracts.
• Bob signs with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan
• Japanese and Korean pitching forces hitters to evolve,

The Rays’ Offseason Overhaul

• Roughly 28 players have departed the organization already.
• Roster impact witw/h Rule 5 Draft approaching.
• Brandon Lowe rumored to be on the market.
• Recent DFA decisions around Jake Fraley and Christopher Morel 
• Construction activity on the Trop.
• Mat suggests Rays’ upper-deck $2 seating all season to boost atmosphere and attendance.

WPBL (Women’s Pro Baseball League) Preview

• Inaugural WPBL Draft takes place Thursday, November 20, 2025.
• Format: 6 rounds, 4 teams, 20 picks per round selecting 120 players.
• Notable prospects include Kelsie Whitmore and Mo’ne Davis
• Early tryouts 600+ athletes evaluated at Nationals Park.
• Fans can watch the draft on TikTok, YouTube, 

Broadcasting & CBA Looming

• Increasing number of subscriptions needed to watch a single MLB team—citing the Yankees as an extreme example.
• MLS’s simple, blackout-free Apple TV deal & accessibility 
• CBA on the horizon & importance of keeping fans connected to the game
• New leagues, new media landscapes, global player movement, & expanded opportunities for women in the sport.

Find Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or reach Mark @  [email protected] BaseballBiz on Deck, @ iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, & at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com 
Special Thanks to XTaKe-R-U-X for the music Rocking Forward