Can MLB Replicate the NBA’s Global Success? Shohei Ohtani-Led Tokyo Series Holds the Answer

In just one week, the entire country of Japan will come to a standstill for a monumental moment. Japan will open the doors to Major League Baseball as the Chicago Cubs take on the Los Angeles Dodgers. The regular season games will begin on March 18-19 at the iconic Tokyo Dome. For Japan, this is a sweet homecoming. Five of Japan’s favorite baseball sons will return to their native country. And one of the faces the country is most excited to welcome is, of course, Shohei Ohtani – the Babe Ruth of modern baseball in America, no wait, the world.

The Ohtani effect hits Tokyo

If baseball had a king, it would be Shohei Ohtani. His two-way dominance has turned him into an international superstar. No one can forget how he made his way toward the 50-50 club like it was a walk in the park. And his significance in Japan? Well, in the country where Yomiuri Giants, winners of 22 Japan Series titles, take a backseat to the Dodgers, there is no denying Ohtani’s sheer effect.

The MLB Tokyo Series is feeling more like an All-Star Game meeting the homecoming parade. “It’s going to be insane. It’s going to be like Justin Bieber times 10 over there,” expressed Tyler Glasnow. And MLB is already geared up for the biggest showcase. Ohtani is heading alongside other Japanese-born icons, from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Seiya Suzuki, and Shota Imanaga. It’s going to be a cultural milestone. Just think about when Charles Leclerc won in Monaco last year—YES—that big!

The demand is also going off the charts. Tickets on the resale market are starting at $2,000 for Game 1 and $1,500 for Game 2. But to ensure everyone in Japan has a view of the spectacle and craze of Ohtani, MLB has come up with ways. The games will be broadcast in primetime in Japan and on Amazon Prime Video too. It will also be shown in over 150 movie theaters across the country.

Yeah! Tokyo is buzzing with the baseball fever.

There is a three-story baseball-themed attraction right at Shibuya—dedicated to the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the championship. This is not just baseball anymore; this is a national event.

Why is MLB betting on Japan?

Japan is not just another stop in MLB’s global tour. It is baseball’s second biggest market, a country where the sport is essentially ingrained into their culture. Major League Baseball already has a huge following, and now it’s only growing stronger. Thousands of tourists make their way to LA just to watch Ohtani.  It’s black and white; the league wants to improve its global footprint—starting with Japan. And it makes sense. First, the Japanese-to-MLB pipeline is booming. There were just seven Japanese players in MLB back in 2022. Now in 2025, there will be 12. The latest is Roki Sasaki, who took America’s baseball world by storm.

Also, the 2024 World Series, won by the Los Angeles Dodgers, drew record numbers from Japan. It even rivaled their own Japan Series. Plus, MLB has already tried its hand at going global, going to London and even Mexico. However, in the UK, baseball is a niche sport, and in Mexico, soccer is what dominates. Japan hits differently because it has a baseball culture. They already have Nippon Professional Baseball, the country’s domestic league. One of the best in the world. But at the heart of the expansion is, of course, the business opportunity.

Sponsorships for the Tokyo Series are expected to surpass the Seoul games by 240%—that number is head-turning. It will be one of the most profitable events in MLB history. Plus, Shohei Ohtani is the stepping stone forward because he is just so popular. From his dog decoy throwing the first pitch to his gameplay or him announcing that he and his wife are expecting—news about him is like wildfire. Shohei Ohtani is MLB’s ultimate global ambassador. It’s no surprise that Fanatics are capitalizing on his star power with their latest MLB World Tour Tokyo collection. Their jersey, which is priced at $154.99, is flying off the charts. Because for Japanese fans, this jersey is a sense of pride. This expansion is only the beginning though.

Global expansion is here to Stay

It is a guarantee that the Tokyo Series will be a success. And when it is, it could set the stage for even bigger moves internationally. Can Japan finally get an MLB expansion team? Well, it’s not out of the question. Chris Marinak, MLB’s chief operations and strategy officer, sees a possibility of international expansion. “Bringing MLB international games to Japan is a great way to engage the market and get fans in Asia excited about baseball. …Having our premium product in prime time windows in Asia creates engagement opportunities for fans.”

MLB has already established partnerships with NPB, including serving as the league’s official stats provider for the season. The two leagues have also worked closely for player development and other business collaborations. Marinak said, “We find it to be a really symbiotic relationship, where we both work to prop each other up. And we think that’s the best opportunity to grow the game of baseball globally.” MLB is not a dying sport anymore. And the league is expanding everywhere to prove itself, with Japan at the forefront.

However, global reach doesn’t mean MLB is looking for a quick payday and leaving. The league is focused on long-term growth. Hence, they are working with partners to create an engagement that’s sustainable and also more than just the hype of an occasional game. From year-round media partnerships to the MLB Dream Cup, the goal is to keep baseball relevant in the market even when MLB teams or Ohtani are not physically there. “When we’re not [in a market] with a game or a series, we have other opportunities for partners to engage.” This holistic approach is what sets MLB apart.

While other leagues shuffle to find their footing, MLB is already making use of Japan’s current fan base to deepen its footprint. Are you excited for the series? Let us know.

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