Full Breakdown
Baseball United Partners with Zee Entertainment to Launch Professional Baseball in India
10/17/2025, 9:19:40 PM
Historic Partnership Announcement
On October 16, 2025, Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, announced a significant partnership with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (‘Z’). This collaboration aims to broadcast all 21 games of Baseball United’s inaugural season live across India, marking the country's first exposure to professional baseball. The season will commence on November 14, 2025, featuring the Mumbai Cobras, India’s first professional baseball franchise, alongside the Arabia Wolves, Mid East Falcons, and Karachi Monarchs.
Broadcasting Details
Baseball United's games will be available on Zee Entertainment's leading linear channels—Zee Café SD, &Flix SD, and &Pictures HD—as well as on the Zee 5 streaming platform. The broadcasts will be accessible in both English and Hindi, catering to India's diverse audience. In addition to live games, Zee 5 will offer supplementary content, including player features, behind-the-scenes footage, and an original documentary about the league's establishment.
Strategic Importance of India
India is a key focus for Baseball United due to its rapidly growing sports audience and a strong cultural affinity for bat-and-ball games. The partnership with Zee, which reaches over 800 million viewers across its platforms, is expected to introduce professional baseball to millions of households and foster fan growth throughout the subcontinent. Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Baseball United, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating it represents a major milestone in their mission to engage the more than 50 million baseball fans in India.
Official Statements
Laxmi Shetty, Head of Revenue, Broadcast and Digital at Zee Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “This partnership with Baseball United reflects our dedication to diversifying sports entertainment and offering Indian fans access to premier sporting events from around the world.” She highlighted the potential for baseball to resonate with Indian audiences, given the country’s entrenched bat-and-ball sporting culture.
Criticism & Opposition
While the partnership has been largely welcomed, some critics question whether baseball can capture the same level of enthusiasm as cricket, which dominates the Indian sports landscape. Concerns have also been raised regarding the long-term sustainability of baseball in a market where cricket and other sports have established fan bases.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are very grateful to announce this partnership with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (‘Z’),” said Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder, Baseball United.” — Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder, Baseball United
- “India has a deeply entrenched bat-and-ball sporting culture, and we are excited to introduce millions of sports fans to the speed, strategy, and spectacle of professional baseball.” — Laxmi Shetty, Head- Revenue, Broadcast and Digital, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.
What's Next
The inaugural season of Baseball United will run from November 14 to December 14, 2025, culminating in the United Series Championship. Supported by 20 Major League Baseball legends, including Mariano Rivera and Barry Larkin, the league aims to inspire a new generation of fans and athletes across India, Pakistan, and the Middle East.
