MLS Teams Up with Danny Ramirez’s Soccer Film “Baton”

Writer-director Danny Ramirez’s feature-length drama *Baton* has entered a strategic partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) while the movie moves through post-production. The agreement gives MLS a prominent role in the film’s marketing ecosystem, allowing the league to promote the story to its fan base across the United States and Canada. *Baton* follows a Miami-based player who, after being removed from his college team, seeks a professional contract through the MLS College Showcase.

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The collaboration marks the most extensive MLS involvement with a motion picture to date. The film also benefits from the participation of David Beckham, who serves as an executive producer through his Studio 99 label. Producers cite the recent surge in soccer interest following the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a catalyst for the partnership, noting that the tournament’s popularity has expanded the sport’s cultural footprint in North America.

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Producers of *Baton* explained that from the project’s inception they envisioned the film extending beyond the screen to become a broader cultural event, and they view the MLS tie-in as a key step toward that goal. MLS Executive Vice President of Media Seth Bacon highlighted the league’s ongoing effort to connect fans with soccer in new and meaningful ways, describing *Baton* as a powerful example of storytelling that captures the passion, resilience, and community spirit associated with MLS.

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The partnership is expected to give *Baton* a platform capable of reaching millions of soccer enthusiasts, leveraging MLS’s extensive marketing channels and fan engagement tools. By aligning a narrative film with the league’s brand, both parties aim to deepen the sport’s cultural relevance and create cross-promotional opportunities that could set a precedent for future collaborations between professional sports leagues and the entertainment industry.

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