• US (Aaron Judge): WBC “is bigger and better than the World Series. The passion that these fans have representing their country… there’s nothing like it.”
• Puerto Rico (Yadier Molina, manager): Told his team post-loss, “Cuando tengan la decisión de representar esto, eso es lo mejor que me ha pasado en mi vida” (“When you have the chance to choose to represent this, it is the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life”), underscoring how deeply he values wearing his country’s colors.
• Dominican Republic (Manny Machado):“For me, it’s honestly an honor to be able to put this on. I know it’s a huge responsibility… When you’re out there for your country, for your parents, for your family, it truly doesn’t get any better than this.”
• Mexico (Luis “Cochito” Cruz):“For us, representing our country means everything. It’s something you dream about as a kid…”
• Japan (Shohei Ohtani):“Our objective is to secure back-to-back championships… I’ve been entrusted with this responsibility, and I aim to deliver for the team,” said before tearing up at the anthem.
• Korea (Jung Hoo Lee):“Ever since I became a professional baseball player, it’s always been a dream to play for Team Korea… This time I want to break [past failures] and recreate the glory of the seniors I saw when I was young.”
• Italy (Francisco Cervelli, manager): “It never happened before. People are talking about baseball in Italy… They love what’s happening, and we’ve got to continue doing this, creating an impact.”

After securing Venezuela’s historic first-ever WBC title—and the first championship won by a South American nation—Assistant Manager Victor Martinez captured the weight of the moment:“No tengo palabras para la alegría y el orgullo que siento de pertenecer a este grupo” — “I have no words for the joy and pride I feel belonging to this group.”

Fan Power and Brand Goldmine

Latinos already comprise 19% of the $160B U.S. sports economybut will drive one-third of its expansion to $300B by 2035. They outspend non-Latinos by 15% on tickets, gear, streaming, and attend live events 27% more often, with youth participation growing 3.9% annually. Asia’s passion, from Japan’s continued love of Ohtani to the defiant “Team Taiwan!” flags, points to merchandise demand that extends well beyond the tournament, alongside streaming growth and long-term partnership upside as MLB invests in regional growth. In Europe, Italy’s tournament run did something decades of outreach could not: it put baseball in the national conversation, laying the groundwork for a market that is only beginning to emerge.

MLB capitalized on this global momentum with 150+ partners—Nike uniforms, Fanatics streetwear collabs like Born x Raised— with MLB Deputy Commissioner of Business and Media Noah Garden citing triple-digit growthacross all commercial areas since the 2023 WBC. The brands that go beyond the spike understand what’s underneath it: national pride, identity, and the specific cultural currents shaping each fanbase. SSG helps brands develop that understanding and turn it into growth strategies that outlast the tournament.