Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred told The Associated Press that the league is looking to play some regular-season games in London starting in 2017.
The NFL has played games in London along with the NBA, and now the MLB is hoping to grow its brand across the pond.
“We are very interested in playing there, and we’re working hard on that one,” Manfred told the AP. “I don’t think it will be an opener because of the weather issues. It would be later in the season.”
The Olympic Stadium has been mentioned as a possible venue to host the games. The stadium would hold around 54,000 depending on how they configure it for baseball.
As for teams to play in the games, Manfred didn’t mention any, but it would be interesting to see a marquee series across the pond for the first time in London.
“We haven’t really settled on teams, and I don’t want to speculate about that,” Manfred told the AP. “Obviously, we want to make as good a first impression in Europe as we possibly can.”
Manfred has been working to grow the game internationally, a goal exemplified by the deal to stream games in China, and the spring training games being played in Mexico City. He counts international development among his most important accomplishments during his first year in office.
Games have also been played in Japan to open the season (2004 and 2012), and in Puerto Rico in 2010. Though it won’t be a season opener, a game in London could open serious International doors. It will be interesting to see how European fans react.
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