02-04-2025
Mookie Betts, Nashville native and Dodgers baseball star, becomes pro bowling team owner
In 2010, Major League Baseball star Mookie Betts was named The Tennessean's Bowler of the Year when he was at John Overton High School.
Back then, most people thought bowling was just a hobby that Betts enjoyed when he wasn't playing baseball.
However, over the years Betts has continued to take bowling seriously. He posted a 300 perfect game in 2017, was a member of the Professional Bowlers Association tour and competed in the World Series of Bowling.
Betts is taking another big step in his bowling shoes today by becoming the first owner of a franchise he's named Team OMG in the World Bowling League.
WBL organizers announced the mixed gender league's formation in 2024 with 12-15 events planned each year between eight to 12 teams located in the United States, Europe and Asia.
Betts is joined by his lifelong friend and business partner with The One Marketing Group, Cam Lewis.
'Bowling has always been my home away from the diamond,' Betts said. 'It's a sport of precision, mindset, and community values I've carried my entire career. With Team OMG, we want to inspire bowlers and fans everywhere, showing them that bowling has the excitement and the commercial appeal to compete with the world's best sports leagues."
Betts, a three-time World Series champion and eight-time All-Star, said some of the WBL teams will be located in New York, Dubai, and Singapore.
The WBL is owned by League Sports Co. Games will be played at a fast pace with special rules in place to transform the sport.
'We are here to break boundaries, unite communities, and bring bowling into the spotlight,' said LSC founder and CEO Adi K. Mishra. "Mookie Betts and Team OMG embody everything this league stands for — focus, energy, and relentless dedication. Mookie is a world-class athlete, and a true ambassador for bowling. His passion for the game and his vision for its future align perfectly with what we're building.'
Music City Baseball, formed in 2019 with a goal to bring a Major League franchise to Nashville, announced a partnership with Nashville-based Lincoln Property Company, a real estate services firm, to secure a location for a multi-purpose venue to be built.
Music City Baseball managing director John Loar told The Tennessean his group has identified six to eight locations where a stadium could be built in the Nashville area.
"This partnership is an important step in the long-term strategy to bring Major League Baseball to Nashville," Loar said. "Identifying and securing the ideal site for a potential multi-purpose entertainment venue and stadium that could host baseball will be critical in making sure Nashville is prepared when Major League Baseball is ready to expand."
Major League commissioner Rob Manfred has indicated he hopes to have a process in place for the league to expand from 30 to 32 teams by 2029.
"We are proud to be a part of the incredible economic growth and momentum in Nashville as the city has become a top travel destination in the U.S.," said Lincoln Property executive vice president Tyler Jones. "And we welcome the opportunity to help identify and develop a site that can bring Major League baseball to Nashville."
Loar said the East Bank of the Cumberland River remains a possible location for a stadium along with several sites in Williamson County.
The Nashville Sounds announced their second annual Sounds Scramble Charity Golf Tournament will be May 12 at Hermitage Golf Course.
Participants will have the opportunity to play alongside Nashville Sounds players and coaches, and all funds raised will support the Nashville Sounds Foundation.
Registration is open through May 11 at Sounds Scramble.
If you have an item for Midstate Chatter contact Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: L.A. Dodgers Star, Nashville native Mookie Betts buys pro bowling team
