News DeskDubai, UAE – Baseball United, the groundbreaking professional baseball league dedicated to the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent, made a major announcement today as it revealed that former Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman, Ryan Howard, has joined its investment and ownership group. Renowned for his illustrious career with the Philadelphia Phillies, Howard’s addition brings significant star power and experience to this ambitious endeavor.
Ryan Howard, who boasts an impressive list of achievements in his MLB career, including the Rookie of the Year award in 2005, MVP in 2006, and a World Series win in 2008, is expected to make a substantial impact both on and off the field for Baseball United.
Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and Majority Owner of Baseball United, expressed his excitement about the new addition, stating, “It’s truly an honor to welcome Ryan into our Baseball United ownership group. Ryan was one of the most feared power hitters of his generation, setting several records and eclipsing many milestones along the way. And off the field, he’s been one of the game’s most intelligent and articulate ambassadors. He’s also had a strong track record of business success. Now, we get to bring all those passions and skills together as we work to grow the game of baseball in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent.”
The Dubai-based Baseball United league is poised to launch this fall with a showcase event scheduled from November 10th to 12th at the Dubai International Stadium. This showcase will feature the league’s first four franchises: the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Dubai Wolves, and Abu Dhabi Falcons. Each of these franchises marks a significant milestone as they are the first professional baseball franchises in their respective countries or cities.
In addition to his ownership stake in Baseball United, Ryan Howard will also assume the role of an Ambassador, actively promoting the league, its teams, and its players. He will be present in Dubai for the highly anticipated showcase event. Speaking on his involvement, Howard expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I am truly honored to join the Baseball United family as both an owner and an active advocate for growing the game we all love. It’s been incredible seeing what Kash, John, and the BU owners and leaders have been able to accomplish in such a short time. We all know there is still a lot of work to do, but we believe we have all the right ingredients in place to go make history. I’m ecstatic to be a part of it.”
The inaugural Baseball United Draft is scheduled to take place on September 19th in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it will be livestreamed on the league’s official website, baseballunited.com
This event marks a significant step forward in bringing professional baseball to a region with a burgeoning passion for the sport.
Baseball United’s mission to expand the love of baseball into new territories by leveraging the experience and enthusiasm of legendary figures like Ryan Howard demonstrates the league’s commitment to fostering growth and creating a lasting legacy in the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. Baseball fans in these regions can look forward to an exciting new era for the sport they love.
