What if China Buys the Dodgers?

[xdrx]

It appears to be true that an offer has been made on the Dodgers, with the bulk of the funds coming from Chinese government (directly or indirectly). If that is true, or even if it turns out to a Chinese businessman or consortium, what impact will it have on baseball and potentially card collecting?

Conventional wisdom says the Dodgers would become a global brand, with a treasure chest of marketing and TV dollars to be had in China. That seems reasonable. If it happens might baseball catch on big time in China, and might that lead to baseball cards being sold there, and eventually to vintage cards being sought out by Chinese collectors?

Lots of "ifs" to be sure, but very interesting potential.

[barrysloate]

The New Jersey Nets, soon to be the Brooklyn Nets, are owned by a Russian businessman, and nothing really has changed. They still lose with great regularity. But I suppose you are referring to the potential new fan base in China, which of course could be enormous. Do they follow American baseball there? Don't know. Every aspect of our lives is becoming global, so expanding baseball to foreign countries would seem natural.

[jb217676]

If I was MLB I wouldn't allow it! Why would they want a piece of American pie to be owned and operated by communists? If it's a Chinese-American buying it, that's perfectly fine. The Chinese government, are you kidding me? Talk about selling out. There has to be an American billionaire who can buy this proud franchise.
But what does it matter. In the end, China will probably own North America anyways (if they don't already). Sorry if I offended anyone, there taking our jobs, now they want our land, real estate and the Dodgers? Enough is enough.....

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by jb217676

If I was MLB I wouldn't allow it! Why would they want a piece of American pie to be owned and operated by communists? If it's a Chinese-American buying it, that's perfectly fine. The Chinese government, are you kidding me? Talk about selling out. There has to be an American billionaire who can buy this proud franchise.
But what does it matter. In the end, China will probably own North America anyways (if they don't already). Sorry if I offended anyone, there taking our jobs, now they want our land, real estate and the Dodgers? Enough is enough.....

Amen, brother!

If they do buy them, would they change their name to the Rodgers?

[barrysloate]

Everybody better get used to dealing with China. They're getting richer and more powerful, and they're not going away...and who needs the Dodgers anyway?

[Chris Counts]

Do I have a problem with the Chinese buying the Dodgers? I'd support aliens from outer space buying the team if it means baseball can get rid of that clown, McCourt ...

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by jb217676

If I was MLB I wouldn't allow it! Why would they want a piece of American pie to be owned and operated by communists? If it's a Chinese-American buying it, that's perfectly fine. The Chinese government, are you kidding me? Talk about selling out. There has to be an American billionaire who can buy this proud franchise.
But what does it matter. In the end, China will probably own North America anyways (if they don't already). Sorry if I offended anyone, there taking our jobs, now they want our land, real estate and the Dodgers? Enough is enough.....

The Dodgers were once owned by an Australian and nobody seemed to care.

[tiger8mush]

I think the general problem with Chinese - or any foreign - owner is the money leaving the U.S. If the team makes a profit the money has a better chance of being spent overseas and thus not helping our economy.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

I think the general problem with Chinese - or any foreign - owner is the money leaving the U.S. If the team makes a profit the money has a better chance of being spent overseas and thus not helping our economy.

Uh oh..does that mean we should move Toronto's franchise to the US? How about foreign players? Should we kick them out? Or force them to live in the US full time?