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MLB in Europe? London in the frame as baseball expands its horizons
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/09/mlb-europe-london-olympic-stadiumIn late November, reports circulated that Major League Baseball was deep in negotiations to host a regular season series at London’s Olympic Stadium, sparking great excitement in the small but dedicated enclaves of European baseball. But would such a series be viable? And, if so, what would be its purpose?
Whispers about a possible London series first appeared in the Daily Telegraph, and were later confirmed by a slew of US outlets, notably Fox Sports. MLB has never ventured to Europe, but industry experts say the league has long viewed the Olympic Stadium as a potential venue to stage games. Now, those discussions appear to have reached a critical phase, with officials viewing 2017 as the earliest feasible date for a series.
The Olympic Stadium was built especially for the 2012 Games, but the Premier League’s West Ham will move in next summer as part of a $400m makeover. MLB has measured the venue, and believes its dimension are compatible with baseball, eradicating one of the potential pitfalls. Accordingly, many observers are now looking beyond those initial concerns, into the minutiae and motive of such an audacious project. Just why is baseball so eager to host games in the UK?
The success of Roger Goodell’s International Series at Wembley Stadium must be a key inspiration for Manfred and MLB. The NFL has staged at least one game in Britain every year since 2007, with multiple dates in each of the past three seasons. Next year, Twickenham will also hold a game, while the prospective new home of Tottenham Hotspur will host at least two contests per year between 2018 and 2027, in a remarkable show of unity.
Whispers about a possible London series first appeared in the Daily Telegraph, and were later confirmed by a slew of US outlets, notably Fox Sports. MLB has never ventured to Europe, but industry experts say the league has long viewed the Olympic Stadium as a potential venue to stage games. Now, those discussions appear to have reached a critical phase, with officials viewing 2017 as the earliest feasible date for a series.
The Olympic Stadium was built especially for the 2012 Games, but the Premier League’s West Ham will move in next summer as part of a $400m makeover. MLB has measured the venue, and believes its dimension are compatible with baseball, eradicating one of the potential pitfalls. Accordingly, many observers are now looking beyond those initial concerns, into the minutiae and motive of such an audacious project. Just why is baseball so eager to host games in the UK?
The success of Roger Goodell’s International Series at Wembley Stadium must be a key inspiration for Manfred and MLB. The NFL has staged at least one game in Britain every year since 2007, with multiple dates in each of the past three seasons. Next year, Twickenham will also hold a game, while the prospective new home of Tottenham Hotspur will host at least two contests per year between 2018 and 2027, in a remarkable show of unity.