I recently did an article and interview with Kash Shaikh and former Dodger Adrian Beltre. Shaikh is the Co-owner/founder of Baseball United, the first ever middle eastern/Indian professional Baseball League. I spoke with the two men and we discussed the details of the new league, along with a couple of Dodger related questions for Beltre. This time the Baseball United League has announced they are not only partnering with another former Dodger, but also partnering with the ECB (Emirates Cricket Board), which will insure that the new League will be able to host the league in the UAE for a 15-year term.
The other former Dodger mentioned earlier that has thrown his support to the new league? None other than Albert Pujols. He’ll serve as a global ambassador and executive advisor to the CEO. Formation of the new teams is coming along as well. Franchise announces are reportedly right around the corner. Beltre, and hall of famers Mariano Rivera, and Barry Larkin also serve on the executive board. Check out the press releases below, and stay tuned for more news about Baseball United.
Baseball Icon Albert Pujols Named Official Global Ambassador for Baseball United
Future first ballot Hall of Famer will also serve as Executive Advisor to Baseball United’s CEO
Dubai, UAE (June 13, 2023) – Baseball United, the first-ever professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, announced today that Albert Pujols, one of the greatest players in baseball history, would serve as the organization’s official Global Ambassador. Pujols played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball and won three MVP Awards, two World Series championships, and a Batting Title.
Pujols was an 11-time All-Star, six-time Silver Slugger, and twice led the league in home runs. Last year, he joined Hall of Famer Hank Aaron as the only players in Major League Baseball history with more than 3,000 hits and 700 home runs. He is second place all-time for career RBIs and total bases, and fourth all-time in career home runs after starring for the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
In this newly created role, Pujols will help promote the new league, its franchises, and events through Baseball United campaigns and via his personal social platforms. Pujols will also join Baseball United executives in various government meetings and community activations within the Middle East.
“We are so grateful to partner with Albert to help bring the great game of baseball to a new generation of fans in a new part of the world,” said Kash Shaikh, President, CEO, and Co-Owner of Baseball United. “Albert is one of the best players in the history of the game, with legendary accomplishments that will never be forgotten. He’s also one of the game’s greatest ambassadors, playing the right way, leading with honor and integrity, and teaching with passion and humility. There’s no better person to team with our current group of baseball legends as we collectively work to grow the game. I’m looking forward to working with Albert as we write a new chapter in baseball history.”
In addition to Shaikh, Baseball United’s ownership group includes Hall of Famers Barry Larkin and Mariano Rivera, as well as Adrian Beltre, Felix Hernandez, and Elvis Andrus.
The league begins play with its Dubai Showcase this November, which will feature its first two franchises – the Mumbai Cobras and Karachi Monarchs – as well as two additional franchises that will be announced in the coming weeks. The Dubai Showcase will be the first time professional baseball is played in the history of the region.
“I am truly honored to partner with Baseball United to help bring professional baseball to the Middle East and South Asia,” said Pujols. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to grow the game we love in a way that no one has ever done before. I’m very grateful to Kash, John Miedreich (Executive Vice President, Baseball Operations), and the entire BU team for trusting me with this important work. And I can’t wait to get to Dubai.”
In addition to his Global Ambassador role, Pujols will serve as Executive Advisor to Shaikh, sharing his input and expertise on topics such as baseball operations, gameplay innovation, and global development.
To learn more about Baseball United, visit baseballunited.com.
Emirates Cricket Board Awards Baseball United Official Sanctions for New Professional Baseball League
Historic agreement will enable Baseball United to host its league within the UAE for the next 15 years, and will include franchises in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Dubai, UAE (June 22, 2023) – Baseball United, the first-ever professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, announced today a historic partnership with Emirates Cricket Board (ECB). The agreement gives Baseball United a 15-year term to host its league in the UAE, which will include games and franchises in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This marks the first time in history any international organization has received such sanctions.
The partnership will allow Baseball United to help drive the commercial and community-focused growth of baseball within the UAE at the youth, amateur, and professional levels. As part of the terms, Baseball United will be responsible for organizing all aspects of its league, including facilitating stadium partnerships, scouting and signing players and coaches, driving community engagement, and leading all marketing and operational activities of the league.
ECB will handle government-focused communication, regulations, and policy work, as well as leverage its deep understanding of cricket to help advise Baseball United on relevant issues.
“In a season of significant milestones, this partnership with the ECB is our most meaningful to date,” said Kash Shaikh, President, CEO, and Co-Owner of Baseball United. “This is an unprecedented agreement that will enable both Dubai and Abu Dhabi – two of the world’s most attractive cities – the opportunity to be the launchpad for professional baseball in the Middle East. And, importantly, it ensures that Baseball United will be playing baseball here in the UAE for many years to come. We are honored for the trust shown in our organization by the ECB and its Chairman, HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, and we are grateful for their vision and support. We will now work alongside each other to bring the worlds of bat and ball sports together here in the UAE.”
The Middle East and South Asia is home to two billion people, one billion of whom are cricket fans. Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world, particularly amongst the fast-growing nations of the Indian Subcontinent. According to Baseball United’s research, there are over 65 million avid baseball fans within the region as well, providing a strong foundation to begin building and growing the sport within its diverse, sports-loving communities. Baseball, referred to as “America’s Pastime,” has been played professionally in the United States for nearly 150 years.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are home to some of the world’s largest sporting events, from cricket and rugby to Formula 1 and mixed martial arts. This will be the first time that both cities will play host to professional baseball.
“Emirates Cricket Board has played a pivotal role in the growth of sport across the UAE for many years,” said Khalid Al Zarooni, Vice Chairman. “Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, ECB is proud of the reputation we’ve built and the milestones we’ve achieved. Our partnership with Baseball United is another such milestone and together we will expand the opportunities for active engagement across the UAE by introducing another premier bat and ball sport to our portfolio. As the first GCC nation to pioneer this approach, we look forward to continuing to honor the UAE on an international stage.”
Baseball United’s UAE-based league launches this November with a Showcase event hosted at Dubai International Stadium. The Showcase will include the league’s first four franchises, two representing the UAE, as well as the Mumbai Cobras and Karachi Monarchs, which were revealed in recent weeks. The Mumbai and Karachi franchises are the first professional baseball franchises in the history of India and Pakistan, respectively. The names of the UAE-based franchises will be announced at a later date.
In addition to Mr. Shaikh, Baseball United’s ownership group includes baseball legends Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera, Adrian Beltre, and Felix Hernandez. Albert Pujols also recently joined the organization as its Global Ambassador and Executive Advisor to the CEO.
For more information about Baseball United, visit baseballunited.com.
For more information on the ECB, visit emiratescricket.com.
