DUBAI: Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, announced a partnership with the Pakistan Television Corporation on Saturday.
The collaboration will include coverage on PTV Sports of all 21 of Baseball United’s games this November and December, including several primetime games featuring the Karachi Monarchs, Pakistan’s first professional baseball franchise.
Broadcasts will feature English commentary and graphics, catering to Pakistan’s massive youth population — nearly 60 percent of the country’s population is aged under 25.
Baseball United’s inaugural season will feature the league’s four founding franchises — the Arabia Wolves and the Mid East Falcons from the UAE, India’s Mumbai Cobras, and Pakistan’s Karachi Monarchs. The Monarchs roster includes four Pakistani players: Musharaf Khan, Faisal Hayat, Amar Mahmood, and Pierce Khan.
The season opens with a matchup between Karachi and Mumbai in the three-game Subcontinent Series on Nov. 14, 15, and 16. It will be the first meeting between professional baseball teams from Pakistan and India, “symbolizing a new chapter of sportsmanship, growth, and unity through sport,” according to a press release. In addition to the four Pakistani players, the Monarchs’ roster features players from 10 countries, including the US, the Netherlands, and South Korea.
The partnership with PTV builds on Baseball United’s history of strong viewership in Pakistan; the league drew 3 million viewers per game during February’s friendly series between its two UAE franchises. The series between Karachi and Mumbai is set to significantly top those figures, the organizers believe.
“We are very grateful to announce this partnership with the Pakistan Television Corporation,” Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Baseball United, said in a statement. “This move continues to reinforce our growth across the subcontinent. PTV Sports has been the home of sports in Pakistan for decades, connecting generations of fans through cricket, football, and now, baseball. Millions of Pakistanis will now have the chance to experience a brand-new sport that builds upon their passion for bat and ball, led by their own professional franchise, the Karachi Monarchs. We’re honored to join forces with such a trusted and iconic broadcaster to grow the game and inspire the next generation of Pakistani athletes.”
PTV Sports will support the launch with on-air promotions, cross-channel marketing, and collaborative social media campaigns with Baseball United’s marketing team.
Pakistan represents one of Baseball United’s most promising markets, the press release states, adding: “The country’s deep sports culture, love for competition, and enthusiasm for international events make it a cornerstone of the league’s long-term strategy, marking a pivotal moment in bringing professional baseball to fans in the world’s fifth-most populous nation.”
“PTV Sports is delighted to partner with Baseball United to introduce this exciting global sport to Pakistani audiences,” said Aaliya Rasheed, executive director of PTV Sports. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to diversifying sports content and giving fans access to world-class international action.”
Baseball United’s first full season will feature 21 games played over 30 days at Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai. The season will culminate with the United Series Championship on Dec. 12, 13, and 14.
Supported by 20 Major League Baseball legends, including Mariano Rivera, Barry Larkin, Adrián Beltré, and Albert Pujols, Baseball United is “building the first professional baseball ecosystem in the Middle East and South Asia,” the press release stated. “Each franchise represents the first professional baseball team in its respective city, and the league has constructed significant grassroots infrastructure in Pakistan and surrounding countries to help develop top talent.”
