MLB officials have long hoped to play games in London and settled last year on Olympic StadiumGETTY IMAGES
MLB is working to "finalize a two-game series" between the Red Sox and Yankees at London’s Olympic Stadium in June '19, the league's "first regular-season games in Europe," according to Ronald Blum of the AP. A source said that the Red Sox have the option of having both games -- held June 29-30 -- be "home games." MLB officials have "long hoped for games in London and settled last year on Olympic Stadium." Because it originally was built for a 400-meter track, it is "wider than other large stadiums in the London area and can best accommodate the dimensions of a baseball field." MLB chose the June window because it is after the EPL season and before the venue "must be made available for summer track and field events." MLB "hopes to make an announcement within the next two months." According to the CBA, each player would get $60,000 "for participating in the games" (AP, 3/19). In N.Y., Kevin Kernan notes there are still "major hurdles" for the series. There is still "no promoter, nor is there a deal with London Stadium yet." MLB considered using Wembley Stadium, but it "couldn’t be properly configured for baseball." MLB also "considered having the season opener in London, but the city’s April weather isn’t favorable "(N.Y. POST, 3/20).
GROWING THE GAME: In Boston, Sean McAdam wrote it is telling MLB would be willing to highlight two of its "signature franchises as it looks to broaden its scope and advance its brand in Europe." Baseball has become "increasingly globalized." However, baseball "doesn’t have much of a foothold on the European continent and MLB is signaling that it’s willing to commit two iconic teams to the endeavor" (BOSTONSPORTSJOURNAL.com, 3/19). In N.Y., Billy Witz notes MLB's international ventures have "mainly been limited to countries where the sport is imbued in the culture, particularly Japan and Mexico." English fans’ familiarity with baseball is "likely to come through the prism of cricket, a distant relative to baseball." MLB staged a home run derby-like event in London last year to "showcase the sport for a new audience" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/20). CBSSPORTS.com's R.J. Anderson noted MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has "prioritized expanding the game during his time in power." This season alone, teams will "play regular-season games in Mexico and Puerto Rico." Next year, the Mariners and A's are "expected to open the regular season in Japan" (CBSSPORTS.com, 3/19). BLOOMBERG NEWS' Paskin & Soshnick note among the biggest U.S. sports, baseball is the "only one that hasn’t yet played in Europe" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 3/20). Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, "Any time you can grow our game, I think that’s a pretty cool thing" (NEWSDAY, 3/20).
