Baseball is a game. But behind the scenes, it's also a business — and that business is changing the opportunities available to players at every level.
In Part 2 of The Business of Baseball, Brett Graves continues his solo discussion on Keep Klimbing, shifting the focus from the youth baseball industry to the financial and organizational realities of college and professional baseball.
From Major League Baseball's collective bargaining negotiations to the growing influence of NIL, revenue sharing, and the transfer portal, Brett explores how decisions made at the highest levels of the game are reshaping recruiting, player development, and the opportunities available to younger athletes.
As more money enters college baseball, the expectations placed on players are changing. Larger financial commitments can bring greater opportunities, but they can also create increased pressure to perform, shorter windows to prove yourself, and difficult decisions about long-term development versus immediate success.
Brett draws from his own professional baseball experience to examine how organizations balance financial investments, roster decisions, and player development — and why the best business decision for an organization isn't always the best decision for an individual player.
In this episode, Brett discusses:
- How MLB's business structure influences the rest of baseball
- NIL, revenue sharing, and the transfer portal's impact on college recruiting
- Why financial investment can influence playing opportunities and roster decisions
- The importance of evaluating long-term development alongside immediate opportunities
Getting the opportunity is one thing. What you do with it once you get there is what matters.
For players and families navigating today's recruiting landscape, understanding the business behind baseball is becoming just as important as understanding the game itself.
Whether you're pursuing college baseball, evaluating recruiting opportunities, or simply trying to understand where the sport is headed, this episode offers a perspective on the decisions happening beyond the field.
Connect with Brett Graves
Instagram: @brettgraves5
X: @bgraves05
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