Dubai, UAE (September 6, 2023) - Baseball United, the first-ever professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, announced today that former Major League Baseball first baseman, Ryan Howard, has joined its investment and ownership group. Howard is one of the most decorated players in Philadelphia Phillies history, winning Rookie of the Year in 2005, MVP in 2006, and a World Series in 2008.

Howard was selected to three All-Star games, led MLB in home runs twice, and earned the Hank Aaron Award as the top hitter in the National League. Howard is part of MLB’s prestigious 50 home run club (hitting 58 in 2006), and he reached the 100 home run and 200 home run milestones faster than any player in baseball history.

“It’s truly an honor to welcome Ryan into our Baseball United ownership group,” said Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and Majority Owner of Baseball United. “Ryan was one of the most feared power hitters of his generation, setting several records and eclipsing many milestones along the way. And off the field, he’s been one of the game’s most intelligent and articulate ambassadors. He’s also had a strong track record of business success. Now, we get to bring all those passions and skills together as we work to grow the game of baseball in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent.”

Baseball United’s Dubai-based league launches this fall with a Showcase event November 10th - 12th hosted at Dubai International Stadium. The Showcase will include the league’s first four franchises, the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Dubai Wolves, and Abu Dhabi Falcons. Each franchise was the first professional franchise in their respective country or city.

In addition to his ownership stake in Baseball United, Howard will also play an Ambassador role helping to promote the league, its teams, and its players. Howard will also be in Dubai for the Showcase.

“I am truly honored to join the Baseball United family as both an owner and an active advocate for growing the game we all love,” said Howard. “It’s been incredible seeing what Kash, John, and the BU owners and leaders have been able to accomplish in such a short time. We all know there is still a lot of work to do, but we believe we have all the right ingredients in place to go make history. I’m ecstatic to be a part of it.”

The inaugural Baseball United Draft will take place on September 19th in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Draft will be livestreamed on baseballunited.com.

About Baseball United
Baseball United is the first-ever professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent, beginning play November 2023 in Dubai, UAE. Our mission is to inspire one billion new fans to fall in love with baseball. The ownership group includes award-winning business leaders and inspiring baseball legends, including Mariano Rivera, Barry Larkin, Adrián Beltré, and Felix Hernandez. In addition to our professional league, the Baseball United ecosystem spans youth development, federation partnerships, media and content production, merchandise, and non-profit outreach. With over 30 nationalities represented on our team rosters and a new suite of entertainment-based game changes, Baseball United is working to create a new future for baseball in one of the fastest growing and most culturally rich regions in the world.

Media Contacts:
Allison Baker, VP BSB Group International – allison@bsbgroupintl.com, 513.607.0911