Speaking with a crowd of over 400 Anderson School of Management MBA students last month at Korn Convocation Hall, Los Angeles Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten talked about the strength of the organization and the turnaround since purchasing the franchise five years ago for $2 billion.
Kasten wasn’t the only celebrated mogul speaking at the event. He was joined by Leslie Moonves, the Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of CBS Corporation, as well as Def Jam Recordings CEO Steve Bartells—a 1992 Anderson graduate. The conversation with Kasten came during the keynote of the event, held in mid-February, with UCLA Anderson professor and Faculty Director Sanjay Sood.
Los Angeles Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten
Much of the context of Kasten’s discussion went beyond the value and success of the Dodgers, but rather Major League Baseball as a whole. Among the more prominent North American team sports, MLB has earned a standout reputation as being on the forefront of technological progress. Last year, Disney acquired a huge chuck of ” BAMtech, a technology company spun off from digital media company MLB Advanced Media, for $1 billion.” MLB is currently working alongside ESPN (which is also owned by Disney) to create its own independent cable-less service. Disney currently owns 33 percent of BAMtech with a future option to become the majority owner. But for now, the purchase is a long-term investment in the continued tech overhaul of MLB.
Kasten somewhat dismissed the rumor that the Dodgers were looking to bring in more ownership hand.
“People have been coming to us,” Kasten said. “We decided to see what strategic contributions could be made. We have an interest in new business and international business. We went public because stuff leaks out and gets misinterpreted. I don’t know if we will add anyone, but if we can add strategic partners, we’re always looking into it.”
Despite six World Series titles and 21 National League pennants—combined as both the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers—the franchise is still trying to end it’s surprisingly long 29-year title drought; now the 12th longest stretch in the MLB. The Cleveland Indians, last year’s American League champions, currently hold the league’s longest streak at 69 years.
Read more on Kasten’s discussion and more over at the official UCLA Anderson blog.