Dodgers Owner Todd Boehly Thinks the Shohei Ohtani-led Team is the ‘Obvious Choice’ to Take Baseball Global—If Only MLB Would Let Him Profit from It

In the evolving landscape of professional sports, few individuals have the foresight, ambition, and financial backing to reshape the game on a global scale. Todd Boehly, the co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is one of those figures. Known for his deep involvement in a variety of sports and entertainment sectors, Boehly has often been a visionary in his business approach. Recently, Boehly made headlines with a bold statement regarding Major League Baseball (MLB) and its potential for global expansion, specifically citing the significance of Shohei Ohtani in driving this vision forward.

The Global Appeal of Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani, the two-way Japanese superstar, has become the face of international baseball, a player capable of transforming the way the game is played and perceived worldwide. Ohtani has captivated fans across the globe with his extraordinary talents, excelling as both a pitcher and a hitter. His rare combination of skills has made him one of the most marketable athletes in sports history, and his appeal is not confined to the United States. Ohtani’s influence stretches far beyond the MLB’s traditional fanbase, tapping into the vast and passionate baseball-loving communities of Japan and other parts of Asia.

In many ways, Ohtani has already achieved a global following. Whether it’s through his transcendent performances on the field or his off-the-field persona, he has become a cultural bridge between East and West, representing a new era of baseball that transcends geographical borders. For Boehly, Ohtani is not just a player who can dominate games; he is the key to unlocking the sport’s potential on a truly international level.

In a recent interview, Boehly highlighted how MLB, under its current structure, has failed to fully leverage Ohtani’s global star power. According to Boehly, MLB’s inability to capitalize on Ohtani’s marketability is a missed opportunity that prevents the sport from expanding its footprint globally in the way that other leagues, such as the NBA, have been able to do. Boehly’s comments raise fundamental questions about the current model of MLB and how it is structured to operate in the modern sports ecosystem.

Boehly’s Vision for Global Baseball

For Todd Boehly, the path to expanding baseball’s global reach begins with embracing the massive influence of Shohei Ohtani. But it’s not just about individual star power. Boehly believes that MLB as a whole is missing out on a unique opportunity to capitalize on the sport’s potential for worldwide growth.

Boehly envisions a future where MLB teams, particularly the Los Angeles Dodgers, can leverage Ohtani’s stature to expand the league’s presence in international markets. In his mind, the Dodgers, already one of the most storied franchises in MLB history, are uniquely positioned to lead this charge, not only because of their established legacy but also because of their vast global appeal, especially in Asia.

Under Boehly’s ownership, the Dodgers have already demonstrated a keen interest in international expansion. With Boehly’s financial clout and network of connections in various industries, there’s a palpable sense that the Dodgers could play a pivotal role in broadening baseball’s appeal. The team’s engagement with international markets, particularly in Asia, has already been evident in its approach to scouting and recruiting international talent, as well as its business dealings in global media and broadcasting.

However, Boehly argues that MLB’s antiquated policies and governance structures hold the league back from fully exploiting the international potential that players like Ohtani bring. According to Boehly, MLB’s current focus on a traditional, North American-centric model, combined with a lack of flexibility in terms of revenue sharing, media rights distribution, and international partnerships, hampers the league’s growth prospects.

MLB’s Global Challenges and Opportunities

While baseball is often seen as a global sport, its reach has been relatively limited compared to other major professional sports like basketball, soccer, and even tennis. The NBA, with its global following and strong international brand, has set the standard for how a league can grow beyond its domestic borders. Similarly, the English Premier League and other soccer leagues around the world have created a worldwide fanbase by making their games more accessible to international viewers and by building strong partnerships with global sponsors.

For baseball to truly take the next step and become a truly global sport, it needs to evolve and embrace the modern economic and cultural realities of the sports world. This means recognizing that international markets, particularly in Asia, Latin America, and even Europe, represent untapped revenue streams and fanbases that can propel the game forward.

Shohei Ohtani’s presence in MLB is perhaps the most powerful tool the league has to expand its global brand. Yet, despite his incredible success and international appeal, Ohtani’s marketability has often been restrained by the limitations of MLB’s current framework. Boehly’s frustration with this state of affairs is palpable, as he sees Ohtani not only as a player capable of dominating on the field but as a cultural ambassador who could help redefine what baseball represents on a global stage.

The Role of the Los Angeles Dodgers

As one of the most prominent teams in MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers stand at the intersection of tradition and innovation. The Dodgers’ long history, filled with Hall of Fame players and historic moments, makes them one of the most recognized sports brands worldwide. The team’s location in Los Angeles, a global media and entertainment hub, only adds to its stature.

Boehly’s ownership group has made it clear that they want to take the Dodgers to the next level, and part of that vision involves expanding the team’s reach beyond the United States. The Dodgers already have significant influence in markets like Mexico and Japan, and Ohtani’s arrival could cement their status as the most internationalized team in MLB.

Boehly is keenly aware that the Dodgers’ ability to succeed on the field is only one part of the equation. As a businessman, he recognizes that the team’s success in the global marketplace will depend on their ability to embrace new technologies, media platforms, and revenue models that cater to a global audience. This might mean adopting digital-first strategies, embracing e-commerce, or even creating content that appeals to international audiences in ways that traditional MLB broadcasts do not.

Moreover, Boehly sees a future where the Dodgers, with Ohtani leading the charge, could serve as the primary vehicle for MLB’s expansion into Asia, particularly Japan. In a world where global sports conglomerates like the NBA and FIFA have mastered the art of cultivating international fanbases, Boehly believes that MLB’s failure to adequately support its stars’ global presence is a major oversight.

The Roadblocks to Global Growth

Despite the obvious potential, there are several significant roadblocks that stand in the way of MLB’s global ambitions. One of the most glaring obstacles is the league’s longstanding policy of centralized control over its teams’ operations, particularly with regard to revenue sharing, media rights, and international marketing.

Unlike the NBA, which has embraced global media partnerships and adopted a more flexible revenue-sharing model that benefits both teams and the league as a whole, MLB’s structure remains rigid and overly protective of its traditional revenue streams. This has led to a situation where teams like the Dodgers, with massive global appeal, are not able to fully capitalize on international markets.

Furthermore, MLB’s insistence on maintaining a relatively closed system—where foreign players are often limited by restrictions such as the posting system for international talent—has further hindered the league’s potential for global expansion. As Boehly pointed out, MLB’s refusal to embrace a more flexible and open approach to global talent acquisition has created an environment where players like Ohtani are seen as exceptions rather than the rule.

Can Boehly’s Vision Become a Reality?

Boehly’s call for MLB to embrace a more globalized model is undoubtedly an ambitious one. It requires a fundamental shift in the way the league operates, both in terms of how it markets its players and how it interacts with international markets. For this vision to come to fruition, MLB will need to overhaul its existing structures, including media rights deals, player contracts, and its approach to international scouting and development.

Whether Boehly’s vision will come to pass remains to be seen. However, with his deep pockets, influence in the business world, and proven track record in sports ownership, he may be one of the few individuals capable of pushing the league toward such a transformation.

In the end, the true measure of success for both Boehly and MLB will not be whether the league becomes more global—it will be whether baseball can redefine itself as a truly international sport that transcends borders and connects cultures. With Ohtani leading the way, that future may be closer than anyone realizes.