Brands I respect

Over the life time of Major League Baseball, many critics have written the sport's obituary. Yet time and time again America's past time finds another lifeline. Surviving the "Blacksox Scandal," the player's strike and the steroids era, baseball today is more profitable then it ever has been.

Some things that have lead to their success:
Baseball has been transformed from an American sport to an international favorite second only to soccer. Today kids use makeshift bases and leather gloves in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Japan. This list is growing exponentially as MLB has gone "Global." This Spring Training saw the first ever professional baseball game in China.
Baseball has received hours and hours of free press from the sports scandals and the personalities of its players. Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez are loved by few and hated by a many. Players like these two have given way to a polarization of fans thus breathing life to interest and excitement.

MLB.com has become a great success. Fans flock to the site for the latest news stories, updates on games and articles about their favorite teams. MLB.com has turned into a huge success for baseball as it brings in added revenue, that is making NFL and the NBA green with envy.

What they need to do more of:

MLB needs to dive full speed into the Internet age. They made great strides with MLB.com, but what they need to do now is take advantage of blogs and branded content. Baseball has so many players in the minors and majors that it may become difficult for fans to build relationships, yet personal blogs will help build relationships between fans and lesser known players.
Fans always complain about decisions coaches or General Managers have made, why not allow fans to question the decision makers directly through Internet chats or email questions.



No matter what scandal or problems stand in the path of baseball's future, baseball will be just fine. Maybe 20 years from know baseball will replace soccer as the elite international sport.