There is a big debate going on right now reference a law on illegal immigration in Arizona. The aim of the bill is to “identify, prosecute and deport illegal immigrants.” This would be enforced by giving police the power to detain anyone who they believe may be an illegal immigrant until they show their immigration documents. It would be a misdemeanor if you were not carrying your immigration papers with you. This law would affect many people and organizations. Major League Baseball is one of the organizations that would be affected by this law. Latin Americans make up 27% of team rosters in Major League Baseball. Arizona plays a big role in MLB because they host the Cactus League which is one of the two spring training leagues. They also have their own MLB team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are scheduled to host the 2011 MLB All Star game. Economically, MLB is very important to Arizona and this law could create some financial hardships if the MLB decided to take a stand against it. Major League Baseball can and should make a stand in this debate because it affects a culture that a lot of the players are a part of and they could have a significant effect on Arizona's decision whether or not to keep this law in place.
The 2011 All Star game is scheduled to be played in Arizona. This is one point in which MLB and the Arizona Immigration law is going to collide. Some are calling for Bud Selig to pick a a new team to host the 2011 All Star game because of
the law. This one weekend of All Star activities is “expected to generate $60 million for the city.” The manager of the Chicago White Sox, Ozzie Guillen, has called for all Latin Born baseball players to not attend the game in protest of the new law. If MLB were to change the location of the game because of this law, it would speak volumes as far as where they stand on the law and the loss of revenue would make Arizona take notice as to the consequences of their law.
Another economic stand that MLB could take would be to transfer spring training to another state. Approximately $130 million is generated each spring just by the Chicago Cubs fans. This could be multiplied by the other 15 MLB teams who have their spring training in Arizona and it comes out to a sizable sum. That is a lot of money generated from five weeks in the spring. Losing that revenue would be devastating to Arizona's economy.
A lot of MLB's power in this debate lies in the consequence of lost revenue for the state of Arizona. Another important factor in this debate is that Latin American's comprise a good percentage of MLB and their families are directly impacted by this law. Baltimore shortstop, Izturis, stated "Now they're going to go after everybody, not just the people behind the wall. Now they're going to come out on the street. What if you're walking on the street with your family and kids? They're going to go after you." One may argue that professional athletes would not have to worry about this because they seem to be untouchable because of their status but their families and friends would be impacted and this should be important to them. A sportswriter for ESPN stated that “America's professional sports stars reside in a universe that is pure Fantasy Island. Room service is included, flights are chartered, dollars are limitless...” This may be true but it is time for them to take notice of what is going on around them and realize the impact that they could have. Money equals power and they have a lot of it. They could start a lot of positive social change by being aware of the issues that affect the people around them and putting some of their money towards social change rather than continuing to live in a fantasy world. A former MLB player, Brian Johnson, said of his peers, “Are you an athlete who wants to be an athlete? Or are you an athlete who wants to step up and do something bigger than sports?” This question should be posed to MLB's athletes right now. This is a time where they could really affect the history of our country.
MLB is not the only professional sport who this law will affect. Arizona hosts many other sporting events like boxing and golf. They also have professional football, basketball, and hockey teams. I believe that these players and organizations have an opportunity to help make a difference in this debate. If Arizona were to lose the revenue from their professional sports because of this law, they would really take notice. It is time for MLB and its athletes to stand up against unfair laws and make a change. They could create some history of their own and make states consider the consequences of their laws before voting them into law.
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