MLB Exec VP/Business Tim Brosnan Discusses Trip To Beijing Games

Brosnan Discusses Recent Trip To Beijing For Olympics

MLB Exec VP/Business Tim Brosnan returned to N.Y. Wednesday night after a whirlwind five-day trip to Beijing. The longtime MLB exec has been a key figure in the sport’s increasing involvement in China, which in March saw the staging of two exhibition games between the Padres and Dodgers. Upon his arrival, Brosnan spoke with SportsBusiness Journal Staff Writer Eric Fisher.

Q: What were your general impressions from Beijing?

Brosnan: It was executed to perfection. The city looked great, the events looked great. NBC drew me in early with the Opening Ceremony and so forth, and they’ve produced a masterpiece night in and night out. And I think Dick Ebersol is a genius. It was a terrific experience, and what it really tells me once again is that there is really nothing like the combination of athletic competition and nationhood. That’s powerful stuff.

Q: Did you glean anything new or useful relative to MLB’s interests and involvement in China?

Brosnan: That’s really a continuing, evolving process, and we certainly understand the impact and power of China and what it represents. China is an important long-term play for us, and we’re learning as much as we can.

Q: MLB, of course, is working in conjunction with the International Baseball Federation to get baseball back on the Olympic program starting in 2016. Did you do anything there relative to that effort?

Brosnan: I sat over there with [IBF President] Harvey Schiller, and he’s working as hard as anyone possibly can to get baseball back on the docket. It’s something we obviously want to see happen. Beyond that, I’ll let the prior comments on this subject from [MLB President] Bob [DuPuy] and others stand.

Q: What did you think of the Olympic baseball tournament?

Brosnan: I think it’s done well. China beating Chinese Taipei (Taiwan, 8-7, on August 15) was definitely a big moment there.