Dubai, UAE (April 13, 2023) - Baseball United, the first-ever professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, announced today that current Major League Baseball infielder, Elvis Andrus, has joined its investment and ownership group. Currently playing both second base and shortstop for the Chicago White Sox, Andrus’ 15-year career includes a storied 12-year stint with the Texas Rangers, and a season and a half with the Oakland Athletics.

Andrus’ on-field play has been marked by both his speed and his longevity. He’s recorded 20 or more stolen bases 10 times and is first among active players with 337 total steals for his career. Earlier this month, Andrus reached the 2,000-hit milestone, a mark that less than 2% of players achieve. Andrus ranks fourth among active players in career hits.

“We are very grateful and excited to have Elvis join our ownership team,” said Kash Shaikh, President, CEO and Co-Owner of Baseball United. “Elvis is one of the most respected big leaguers in the game. He’s always played the right way, since his early days in Venezuela, to his incredible time in Texas, to today as a veteran leader for the White Sox. And, just as importantly, Elvis has an infectious energy and contagious passion for the game. Our team and I are looking forward to working with Elvis to spread those vibes to the Middle East, India, and Pakistan, inspiring more and more people to fall in love with the game.”

Baseball United begins play with its Dubai Showcase in November of this year, which will feature the league’s four founding franchises and over 100 professional players, managers, and coaches. The Middle East and Indian Subcontinent is the epicenter of Bat and Ball Sports, home to over one billion cricket fans and tens of millions of avid baseball fans. The new league will cater to both, as baseball’s international footprint continues to grow.

“It’s an honor to join this incredible team of business leaders and baseball legends,” said Andrus. “I’ve always been passionate about growing the game, as well as evolving it so that fans are excited, energized, and entertained. That’s the vision that Kash and the Baseball United team laid out to me, and I’m so grateful to now join them on this journey.”

About Baseball United
Baseball United is the first-ever professional baseball league created to serve the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. 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, and Adrián Beltré. 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