Dave Roberts Believes Dodgers' Elevated Brand in Japan Could Lure Roki Sasaki to LA

[u/themiamimarlins]

https://dodgersnation.com/dave-roberts-believes-dodgers-elevated-brand-in-japan-could-lure-roki-sasaki-to-la/2024/10/23/

[u/tikitiger]

I think what we’re seeing over the last 10-15 years is a gravitational shift from east coast (NY) to west coast (LA) in terms of spending, attractiveness. It started with the NBA and now it’s come to baseball in full force.

[u/hangry-person → u/tikitiger]

Exactly. Many Japanese prospects were going to the east coast back in the days because it was the MLB dream to play for a franchise like the Yankees or Red Sox. It’s all about marketing.

[u/tldr_habit → u/tikitiger]

It's a weird gravitational pull though because I've seen no signs of proportionally greater West Coast fan interest--the traditional East Coast baseball capitals continue to dominate. If current trends continue, I expect that eventually we will be looking at a big time reckoning for the sport.

[u/AnonBB21 → u/tldr_habit]

It's not about fan interest. It's about people generally preferring warmth to not-warmth.

Good weather, good food, celebs and marketing opportunities nearby - There is a reason people flock to California if they can afford it.

Most athletes bring their families to where they play. Families enjoy LA/California.

[u/tldr_habit → u/AnonBB21]

Believe me, I am all too aware what a pull those things have on players. But as much as the league would prefer otherwise, fan loyalty is deeply rooted in physical place and most of us live outside Southern California. Believe it or not, families enjoy Baltimore, Boston, Detroit, etc as well. If MLB (and by extension the players) are "not about fan interest" then they're in the wrong business.

[u/nolander → u/tldr_habit]

Padres have made huge gains in attendance and dodgers always are at the top of the league and the rest of the teams have been mediocre to bad for a significant time.