In an interview, New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter expressed his desire to own a team.
New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter, speaking to CNBC’s “Squawk Box” Thursday, expressed a desire to own a major league club.
When asked why the future Hall of Fame shortstop wanted to purchase a team, Jeter responded:
"“I think baseball is taking somewhat of a back seat to some of the other sports. Some of the other sports are the sexy sports.”"
He continued:
"“I think kids, nowadays they look at players playing in college and the next year they’re in the NFL or the NBA,” he said. “Baseball, you sort of get lost, because you have to play in the minor leagues for a little bit. Kids in this generation are into instant gratification.”"
Calling baseball “the greatest sport in the world,” Jeter stressed how important re-establishing baseball is on the youth of America. In comparing it to real life, he talked about the day-to-day grind and how hard work pays off.
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With a player of Jeter’s credentials and class wanting to get into the ownership side of the game, Major League Baseball should jump at the chance. Still one of the sport’s most bankable stars, any existing or expansion team would gain instant credibility with Jeter as the leader. His presence would ignite a city’s love for baseball. A natural on camera and a shrewd business mind, he founded the website The Players’ Tribune upon retirement, selling the community on the value and importance of baseball is in his genes.
If he gets a team, Jeter will follow in the footsteps of other famous players to jump from the clubhouse to the penthouse. Mario Lemieux rebuilt the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, taking the team from bankruptcy to the Stanley Cup. Michael Jordan saved pro basketball in North Carolina, turning the Charlotte Bobcats back into the Hornets. Magic Johnson is the front man for the ownership group purchasing the Los Angeles Dodgers from the dysfunctional McCourt family.
Where Jeter can learn from Johnson’s Dodgers is making baseball available for all. With a team owned by the magnetic Johnson and baseball’s best ambassador Vin Scully on the pay roll, the Dodgers are hardly available on television thanks to a short-sided contract and are slipping out of the hearts and minds of kids throughout Southern California.
From his comments, Jeter understands that the future of the game depends on showing the same children baseball is as exciting and lucrative as the other sports deemed flashy and sexy. The key to any future success, aside from fielding competitive teams, is putting baseball on a level playing field with football, basketball and soccer to play and watch.
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His resume is impressive. Five World Series championships, seven American League pennants, 3,456 base hits (sixth all-time) and captain of the New York Yankees. If a child from Kalamazoo can conquer Gotham, imagine what he could do with his own team.