How would a more global game affect traditional rivalries, like Red Sox-Yankees?
A more global game would only strengthen fan interest in rivalries among teams like the Red Sox and Yankees. Living in Europe in 2008, I was surprised by the numbers of Yankees hats I saw on people who most likely had never played, or seen, a game of baseball! Teams such as these hold significant cachet far beyond the U.S. market. Few, if any, athletes have greater global appeal than golf’s Tiger Woods and soccer’s David Beckham. Could playing overseas benefit other superstar athletes? Leagues have benefited, and will continue to benefit, from increased player exposure overseas. Case in point: apparel sales in China. Jerseys representing some of the top NBA players, including Lebron James and Dwayne Wade, already top those for Yao Ming. Moreover, the NBA’s Washington Wizards visited China this month to mark the 30-year anniversary of the league’s first tour of that country in 1979. So, there is significant potential for the leagues to increase the presence of their star players in thes
