MLB confident of unearthing star to generate Yao Ming-like impact

MLB's top brass reckon it's only a matter of time before China produces its Yao Ming of baseball.

A major new broadcast deal between Major League Baseball and Tencent Holdings looks set to significantly increase the sport's viewership here.

However, MLB knows that unearthing a Chinese superstar in the sport would be the ultimate ratings winner.

"To cultivate a Yao Ming of baseball is absolutely one of the strategies to grow the sport here in China, and one of the most pleasing aspects of what we've done here are the development centers," said Jim Small, vice-president of MLB, Asia Pacific, on Tuesday.

"But the biggest challenge is this takes a long time. And to be able to play major league you have to be so special, both from the physical standpoint, from the mental standpoint and from the training standpoint. So it's going to take time and we need to be patient."

Since opening an office in China in 2007, MLB has maintained development centers in Wuxi, Changzhou, and Nanjing. So far, three student athletes have signed contracts with MLB clubs including "Itchy" Xu Guiyan (Baltimore Orioles), Gong Haicheng (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Justin Qiangba (Boston Red Sox), while 36 graduates have gone on to play collegiate baseball in the US, the Chinese mainland, Chinese Taipei and South Korea over the last four years.

"Our long-term goal here is to make China a baseball power, and we'll know that's happened when we have professional players from China, when we have a strong national team, and when we play games in China as we do in Japan and Latin America," said Small.

"All those things are in the future and we don't have a specific time frame."

MLB and Tencent Holdings Limited have formed a new strategic partnership to livestream MLB games and highlights programs in China. Tencent, a leading internet service provider, will also support and broadcast MLB developmental events to help grow the sport in China.

As the official digital broadcasting partner of MLB in China, Tencent will livestream 125 games including MLB Jewel Events on an exclusive basis in the country on PC, mobile and over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

Tencent's schedule launched with Super Baseball Week, five consecutive days of games featuring some of the sport's top stars including Mike Trout, Francisco Lindor, Aaron Judge, and Cody Bellinger.

"Our relationship with Tencent allows us to expose the game to more people in China and hopefully more kids will see it and say Wo Ai Bang Qiu (I love baseball). And they start training and possibly become the next Yao Ming.

"Now we are absolutely closer to seeing the first Yao Ming of baseball with our relationship with Tencent."

Regular-season games will be livestreamed on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as the All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard, T-Mobile Home Run Derby, and every game of the postseason and World Series, presented by YouTube TV.

The technology giant also will broadcast a series of MLB highlights shows including MLB Best, MLB Video Clips and a Chinese version of This Week in Baseball.

"Tencent has continued to collaborate with the world's top sports leagues securing broadcast rights for NBA, soccer, tennis, winter sports, NFL and now baseball," said Tencent Vice President Caitlyn Chen.

"In recent years, baseball has developed rapidly in China, which wouldn't happen without MLB's dedicated promotion in China for over a decade.

"In the future, with the advantage of Tencent's production and broadcasting, refined operational excellence and powerful social platforms, we will bring the attention to MLB and baseball in China to a new level."

Tencent will work closely with the league to help grow baseball in China by supporting and streaming MLB's extensive array of youth baseball and development events.

The company will be the official partner of MLB Baseball Park, a road show that travels to major metropolitan areas in China attracting over 3.5 million fans annually. In addition, Tencent will broadcast the MLB reality show Perfect Pitch, College League games, the MLB Play Ball! Diamond Cup and other MLB Play Ball! youth events.

"As MLB continues to expand the participation, viewing and engagement of baseball in China, it is critical to partner with the best organizations in the country to form mutually beneficial co-operations," said Small.

"We are thrilled to team with Tencent, the largest and best distributor of digital sports content in China and a company that is widely admired around the world.

"We are confident that the assortment of MLB games, shows and events that Tencent will stream will entertain millions of sports fans in China and help continue to grow the sport."

The partnership will also utilize Tencent products such as qq.com and the Tencent Sports app, while the company also plans to develop and host an MLB fan club across China.