Major League Baseball (MLB) today announced a partnership with Reliance Industries Limited subsidiary RISE Worldwide Limited (“RISE”) to support the growth of baseball in India. The collaboration will span marketing, social media, and commercial initiatives, culminating in the joint delivery of a live event in Mumbai in October 2026. This partnership marks a significant step in MLB’s international expansion strategy and reinforces India’s growing importance as a key sports market.

Since opening its offices in New Delhi in 2019, MLB has been actively developing the game in India through grassroots programs like MLB First Pitch in schools and youth competitions such as the MLB Cup. The league has also introduced India-focused original content, including Indian Baseball Dreams, to create greater awareness and engagement around the sport.

Strategic Collaboration

The partnership aims to introduce the excitement of baseball to wider audiences while strengthening cultural connections through sport. Noah Garden, Deputy Commissioner, Business & Media at MLB, described the collaboration as a key milestone in the league’s international growth strategy. He emphasized that working with RISE will allow MLB to reach new demographics.

Nikhil Bardia, Head of RISE Worldwide, highlighted that India is one of the most dynamic sports markets globally. He stated that baseball’s global rise makes this a natural moment to bring the sport closer to Indian fans. RISE Worldwide plans to create experiences, both on the ground and digitally, to make baseball accessible and exciting.

About the Companies

RISE’s experience in sports and media provides unique opportunities to enable more fans across India to sample baseball. Together, MLB and RISE will deliver engaging experiences, including the local Mumbai event and grassroots initiatives. This partnership follows the thrilling World Baseball Classic in March, as MLB seeks to further globalize the game in India.

Reliance Industries is reportedly negotiating with CATL, the Chinese battery manufacturing giant, and other global suppliers for components to create Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The development underscores the conglomerate's continued push to strengthen its energy storage capabilities and advance its clean energy ambitions through strategic partnerships.

Strategic Battery Partnership in Focus

According to reports, Reliance Industries is engaging with CATL — one of the world's largest manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries — alongside other global suppliers, to source key components for building Battery Energy Storage Systems. The move signals the company's intent to deepen its footprint in the rapidly evolving energy storage sector.

Energy Storage as a Strategic Priority

The reported negotiations reflect Reliance Industries' ongoing efforts to position itself as a significant player in the energy transition space. Energy storage is widely regarded as a critical component of clean energy infrastructure, and securing battery supply or technology partnerships with multiple global players could play a key role in the company's broader energy strategy. No specific financial terms, deal structures, or timelines have been disclosed in connection with the reported discussions at this stage.