Former MLB All-Star Nick Swisher on Ford Partnership

0:00So there's a lot of noise about AI, but time's too tight for more promises. So let's talk about results. At IBM, we work with our employees to integrate technology right into the systems they need. Now, a global workforce of 300 ,000 can use AI to fill their HR questions, resolving 94 % of common questions. Not noise, proof of how we can help companies get smarter by putting AI where it actually pays off, deep in the work that moves the business. Let's create smarter business. IBM. If you follow markets, you know the value of long-term thinking. You plan, you diversify, you prepare for volatility.

0:38But even the best strategies can't prevent every bad day. For more than 75 years, Cincinnati Insurance has helped individuals and businesses navigate tough moments with expertise, personal attention, and independent agents who focus on relationships, not transactions. the Cincinnati insurance companies. Let them make your bad day better. Find an agent at CINFIN.com. This podcast is brought to you by WISE, the smarter way to manage your money internationally. If you're getting a headache from juggling different currencies and different bank accounts in different countries, there's a better way to receive money in the currency you need without the slow transfer times or hidden fees.

1:20Meet WISE, the savvy way to handle your money internationally. Hold balances in up to 40 currencies with the mid-market exchange rate on every conversion. Whether you're receiving payments from tenants abroad, earning as a digital nomad, or converting dividends from your international investments, the WISE multi-currency account is for you. Be smart. Get WISE. Download the WISE app today or visit WISE.com. Terms and conditions apply. Bloomberg Audio Studios. Podcasts. Radio. News. This is the business of sports. Sports are the greatest unscripted show on earth. The next generation of players really grew up with tech and believe in tech.

2:00Your face is your ticket. Your face is your wallet. Your face is your access to a club. These are such iconic and important buildings for businesses, for fans. COVID was one of the best things that ever happened to golf. The NFL is a bulletproof business. Racing is unique because there is absolutely no reason why we can't compete with the guys. Come on, it's Pro Pickleball Real. Are people really going to tune into this? If you're playing money ball with a huge bag of money, you're going to be really, really good. Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio. This is the Bloomberg Business of Sports, where we explore the big money issues in the world of sports.

2:36I'm Vanessa Perdomo. Michael Barr is off this week, but stepping in to join me this week is our friend Bloomberg News sports business reporter, Randall Williams. Today on the show, we are speaking with former professional athletes about their next chapter after their playing career. First up, I have to calm myself a little bit because we are talking to a member of the 2009 Yankees World Series team, Nick Swisher. Nick is here to speak about his partnership with Ford and give us the insight on the start of the baseball season. Nick Swisher, former MLB All-Star and World Series champion. Thanks so much for joining the Bloomberg Business of Sports.

3:14We're so excited to have you. Oh, yeah. Thanks for that intro. I'll take that. I'm in for that. That sounds good. All right. Well, let's get into it then. So it is opening week. Give us your early, super early, way too early predictions. I mean, my way too, way too early predictions. Listen, I think there is obviously a handful of teams each and every year that you would include in that World Series conversation. One of the things that I love about our squad with the New York Yankees is the depth that we have from our starting pitching. Really, really excited about that. Garrett Cole's on his way back as well.

3:52It's going to be amazing having him back in the starting five. But listen, I mean, you know, a lot of narrative has been around how the Yankees are kind of running it back this year and how they're kind of, you know, how they have the same team that they had last year. And yes, that is true. But once again, you are talking about the best regular season offense in the league last year. So there is something to be said for that. From the time that I've been able to spend with these guys in spring training, it's been nice. The conversations that are being had are a lot different than they have been in the years past.

4:20So there's a lot more camaraderie going on. There's a lot more talks about, you know, having the opportunity to play together one more time. And once again, you know, with the buzz that the World Baseball Classic just had, you know, regular season, we're really excited to get this thing going. So I don't know. I mean, I'm a Yankee guy. So, I mean, I bleed pinstripe. So it's hard for me not to say that I don't think my boys are going to be able to get it done this year. I tell you what, it's really hard right now not to say, you know, the Los Angeles Dodgers. I think the Chicago Cubs made a real good push, you know, trying to bring over some guys over there.

4:55I really think that there's going to be a battle up for the American League. You know, you're talking about, you know, the Toronto Blue Jays, who just had an absolutely tremendous year. Boston Red Sox have a bunch of young Thundercats on that team. You know, I'm really interested to see kind of what the Baltimore Orioles do. But if you're really asking me kind of hard, it's obviously I'm going to say the New York Yankees just because I was going to say. But I truly do believe that if you're looking at the overall Vegas odds, it's hard to say that the New York Yankees won't be there at the end.

5:22They have exactly what it takes. They have the depth. They have the overall experience. This isn't a guessing game anymore. The boys know exactly what's up for stake. They know how blessed they are to be able to be to be running this back together again, just like they did back in 25. So I'm really, really expecting an absolutely fantastic 26 season. Yankees, Dodgers. I was going to say seven. I appreciate the redemption. I hear you. I hear you. So ahead of opening day, the MLB is partnering with Ford Motors as being the official automotive partner of the MLB. Tell us about what's happening there.

6:00Oh, yeah. Yeah, and this is amazing. You're talking about two of the most iconic American brands that literally helped build America, if you're thinking about it, from the iconic company Ford to America's favorite pastime at MLB. Now, what's great about this is this is not just a sponsorship, man. This is an overall partnership. And what I appreciate most about what Ford is doing right now is they're not just showing up for the huge Major League spotlight moments. Fourth of July, opening day, World Series. No, no, no. Ford is now spreading their wings. And what they're doing is they're getting themselves involved from the grassroots up.

6:34And for someone like me, who is a girl dad, the fact that they are including softball in something like this makes me makes my heart just absolutely want to explode. I think right now, women's sports are having such a huge momentum right now. And with the overall growth of softball as well as youth sports, the fact that Ford is really getting themselves involved from the grassroots moving up, could not be more proud to be sitting here representing two iconic American brands. And with the overall resurgence that America's had here over the overall Olympics we just had, obviously the heartbreaking loss we just had in the WBC, it seems like right now people are back, man.

7:11People are proud to be American. And at the end of the day, having these two amazing, iconic brands collabing together to create this partnership could not be more honored to be sitting here repping both brands. So let me ask you this. With this being, you know, you're calling this America's most iconic company. What is your favorite Ford model? Oh, bro. Is it hard? I mean, bro, F-150, baby. I figured you were going to say that. I mean, come on, let's go. I mean, I am a girl dad. I've got daughters. So the expedition, if you haven't seen the 2026 expedition, oh man, everything looks good. So it'd be hard for me not to say the F-150, but I'm also going to say the expedition as well.

7:49Like we were saying with this, it's a real partnership and including the grassroots level. Why is that important for, you know, for a sponsor to really become a partner and to grow the game more than just at the professional level? I don't know if you guys have kids, but at the end of the day, sports cost money. And at the end of the day, baseball is kind of one of those sports where you need equipment. And the fact that Ford is going out and putting their money where their mouth is, involving themselves in not only just a major partnership with MLB, but be able to kind of investing in the areas where Ford works in places like Detroit as well as Buffalo.

8:28I think they're investing in the communities. And that's what it's all about. You know, America and baseball is America's favorite pastime. Things are built around communities. And the fact that Ford understands that, creating this huge partnership, not only with the iconic brand of Major League Baseball, but being able to dip into the grassroots and give those opportunities for young kids to play the game that I love and a lot of people out there love. Because being part of a team helps mold you as a human being moving forward. You learn how to count on people. People learn how to count on you.

8:59I love the team aspect of baseball and softball and all of that. I think the kids need a little bit more of that. And the fact that Ford is going out there and helping these individuals have that opportunity to go out and play this amazing game. I think it's an absolutely amazing partnership. And I can't wait to see what Ford's going to do in the future. So we just got done wrapping up the World Baseball Classic, and it seems like the event has grown year after year. I wonder what you make of the World Baseball Classic and sort of its both cultural significance and how the event came out to be.

9:29Hey, I mean, Randall, I don't know about you, bro, but after watching Venezuela absolutely just weep on the field after winning that game, it just made me really think to myself, number one, how important the WBC really is. And number two, how winning that thing can really, really change an overall community, an overall country. The fact that Venezuela is celebrating the way they are right now is absolutely earned. I could not have been more proud of those guys. I was listening to, you know, Salvi Perez and just talking about just how blessed they were to be able to be part of a brothership and a family and how it is different representing your country more than representing your team.

10:11So I think just in general, the fact that Major League Baseball, as well as, you know, my guy Jim Snell, who heads up the WBC, they have done an absolutely tremendous job. I was able to spend a little bit of time with the commissioner down in Puerto Rico. And, bro, I'm telling you, that Latin style of baseball is in my blood, no doubt. I mean, with the music, the vibes, the overall, just the overall energy that goes into the games, I think it's absolutely amazing for our game. And just with our overall global superstars we have with people like Shohei Otani, you know, with overall, you know, Ronald Acuna Jr.

10:46for Venezuela. I'm even thinking the electrician from the Czech team, the pitcher. I mean, what an amazing moment for him. So just so many different things that have happened over the last, you know, three weeks in the WBC. Could not be more excited for what's about to happen for the regular season. Heartbreaking loss for Team USA. But that home run Bryce Harper hitting the eighth inning. I won't ever forget that home run because that one was a good one. I mean, it's so interesting, like you were talking about. I mean, Latinos, we did show up and we put on the culture was amazing. Right. But what do you think this is the first time we've really seen the WBC in this light, that it's really on par with these other international events.

11:24You had it squeezed in between, you know, the Milan Winter Olympics and right before the World Cup. up. Can baseball be, you know, is the WBC becoming one of those international events that really brings significance to the sport, you know, worldwide, do you think? I mean, Vanessa, I couldn't agree with you more. I truly believe that. It really has put our game on the map there for a moment. I mean, you've got so many other sports kind of rocking and rolling right now, and we were taking center stage. So I think just in general, I think what I think is going to come from the WBC, and I think we heard Bryce Harper talk a little bit about it during his interviews, is the Olympics and figuring out how we can get professionals in the Olympics.

12:05Because at the end of the day, being able to watch the Winter Olympics this year and just watching those individuals stand up on that podium, receiving their gold medals, the fact that their national anthem was being played, there's something to be said about that. And it's a little mini kind of Olympics for the WBC. But I do love the fact that the conversation is now going to get started like that, because I think that would be absolutely amazing to be able to include professionals in that overall Olympic setting. I think that would be great for the sport as well as for the Olympics in general.

12:38We are talking to Nick Swisher, former MLB All-Star and World Series champion. I want to talk a little bit more about that, a little bit more about the Olympics, like you were saying, because it hasn't been decided upon yet and they haven't really made the official decision yet. what's holding them back and what really would be the disadvantage to not having MLB players play in the Olympics? Well, I mean, they haven't done it thus far. I would say probably your biggest hurdle is just a bunch of red tape. You've got to remember, there were a lot of players that were not able to play in the World Baseball Classic due to insurance policies, things like that, because you've got to remember these guys aren't necessarily getting paid as much as they would be during the regular season.

13:18And I know that the agents are not receiving very much money either. So that really could be kind of a sticking point in general. Now, depending on when you're going to have to do that, you're going to have to figure out a time to where you're going to have to shut the season down to be able to have those individuals go and play in the Olympics. So it's great that the conversation is getting going. I think that there's obviously this wouldn't be happening if the Olympics weren't in Los Angeles coming in 2028. But being able to be right here in our backyard, the conversation seems like it could not be happening at a better time.

13:52So I think just in general, we're in a money spot right now with our game. You know, Netflix has jumped into the game this year, having opening day out in San Francisco with the Giants and the Yankees. You know, they got some amazing superstars. Burt Kreischer is going to be over there. So I think just in general, we are in a money spot right now. We've got a lot of attention around our game and we really need to capitalize on this momentum right now. We're talking with World Series champion Nick Swisher. Stick around. Our conversation continues with a focus on collective bargaining. For Michael Barr and this week's co-host, Randall Williams, I'm Vanessa Perdomo.

14:25You're listening to the Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio around the world. Thank you. So let's say you're interested in something specific like biotech companies with high R &D spend, small cap stocks with improving operating margins, or the S &P 500 minus high debt companies. Chances are there isn't an ETF that fits your exact criteria. But on public, you just type in a prompt and their AI screens thousands of stocks and builds a one of a kind index. You can even backtest it against the S &P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Go to public.com slash market and earn an uncapped 1 % bonus when you transfer your portfolio.

15:32That's public.com slash market. And paid for by Public Holdings. Brokered services by Public Investing, member FINRA SIPC. Advisory services by Public Advisors, SEC Registered Advisor. Crypto services by ZeroHash. Sample prompts are for illustrative purposes only, not investment advice. All investing involves risk of loss. See complete disclosures at public.com slash disclosures. So there's a lot of noise about AI, but time's too tight for more promises. So let's talk about results. At IBM, we work with our employees to integrate technology right into the systems they need. Now, a global workforce of 300 ,000 can use AI to fill their HR questions, resolving 94 % of common questions.

16:12Not noise. Proof of how we can help companies get smarter by putting AI where it actually pays off, deep in the work that moves the business. Let's create smarter business. IBM. Find home wherever you roam at Sonesta ES and Simply Suites, where longer stays feel comfortable, flexible, and easy. Stretch out and enjoy spacious accommodations and home-like amenities designed to help you settle in and stay productive or relaxed for however long you need. And when you're a Sonesta Travel Pass member, staying at Sonesta ES and Simply Suites means earning points toward free nights, upgrades, and more with every eligible stay.

16:48Go to Sonesta.com to book your stay and unlock the best rates with Sonesta Travel Pass. Here today, Rome tomorrow. Join now at Sonesta.com. Terms and conditions apply. This is Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio. This is the Bloomberg Business of Sports where we explore the big money issues in the world of sports. I'm Vanessa Perdomo. Michael Barr is off this week and stepping in to join me is Bloomberg's Randall Williams. We're talking with World Series champion Nick Swisher on the start of the MLB season. Let's get back to that conversation. One of the looming things in the distance for the MLB after this season is going to be collective bargaining.

17:28From your standpoint, there's been a lot of conversations about does there need to be a minimum cap spending requirement for owners? Does there need to be a salary cap? All these sorts of things because you do have owners who are not spending and you have owners who are overspending, like the Dodgers, for example. What do you make of that conversation as a former player who's been involved in collective bargaining negotiations? How is this all going to play out and where do you stand on things? I've been able to circle this game from, you know, all sorts of facets at this moment. I've been able to be a player, been able to circle it from the media standpoint, you know, being able to be a special advisor with the Yankees.

18:02This is my ninth year being able to circle it from the front office perspective, as well as working for the commissioner. Now, how everything has been brought to me is, you know, whenever you hear the word cap for a major league baseball player, that's almost like taboo. But at the end of the day, it was not presented to me like that. It was presented to me as a floor. Right now, one of the things that I do appreciate about that floor is if you look at the overall spending of major league baseball, there's only a handful of teams that go over that luxury tax. Now, when you're talking about a cap, there almost is an imaginary cap anyways, because when you do go over that certain number, you have to pay money in luxury tax.

18:40Now, where does that luxury tax money go? It goes to the lower teams. And I think that the teams that are spending money are getting a little sick and tired of paying for all of those teams that are not spending money. So for someone like me, I think it's amazing. I think you're starting to see these NBA max sort of contracts come into play. I think you saw Kyle Tucker on the four years,$240 million. I think that they're realizing that these 10, 15 year deals don't necessarily pan out in year 12, 13, 14 and 15. If I was a player in today's game, I'm thinking to myself, man, if I'm the number 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 player on the roster, Now I've got a chance to start making a little bit more money, especially if this floor comes into play.

19:24And like I always say, if you want to be part of this game moving forward, you have to have an open mind. You have to be open to a little adjustments, maybe a little changes in the game. But I think just in general, the game is in a great place. And once again, once we get this CBA behind us moving forward, obviously with everything that happened with Tony Clark, I'm really interested to see what's going to happen on the union side. From my mouth to God's ears, fingers crossed, we don't need a stoppage. We want to continue to keep this going. We want to make sure that those conversations get taken care of, finished off, so we can make sure that we have an amazing 27 season, just like 26 going to be.

19:57I'm curious when you were talking to players, like, do you think they're on that same wave of they kind of understand that those long term big contracts, they don't need to keep fighting for the 10 year deals anymore? Vanessa, at least for myself, I remember when I was coming on my six-year free agency, I remember with my agent that I had at the time, Danny Lozano, I remember him stressing to me that all we were fighting for was years. The more years, the more money. And so nowadays, I'm kind of thinking it might be a little different sort of way of going about it because I'm thinking to myself, I played for 13 seasons.

20:30I could have signed two or three big deals. But once again, I think that if you're looking at this CBA and the things that are coming into play more from a floor perspective coming into play rather than a cap coming into play, because even if there is a cap, the Los Angeles Dodgers don't care about a cap. They're just going to continue to keep going over that. The deferred money that they have is going to be paid out for decades. I'm not going to lie. I kind of like the spending that the Dodgers do. Like, it's sort of like putting together a Justice League team of players. It's so true, bro. I don't mind watching the Avengers.

21:05I actually happened to be in spring training earlier this year, and I was out doing some stuff with the AUSL girls in softball over at Dodgers camp. And all of a sudden, I'm sitting there and I'm watching, you know, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts and Shohei. And then all of a sudden, here comes Edwin Diaz and now Kyle Tucker. I'm like, bro, this is like the X-Men. I mean, it really is. But once again, you know, when you have that money in place behind you, like the Guggenheims do, it's easy to spend that money. Like you said, I mean, it is nice having dynasties out there. I just wish they were coming more out of the Bronx than Los Angeles.

21:41Exactly. I was just going to ask you your take on that. I mean, because you know better than anyone, the Yankees used to be famous for this, but it feels like it hasn't been like that in recent years. Why do you think that is? And do you think it's actually going to change now that we can't keep up with the Dodgers right now? Yeah, I don't think anybody's keeping up with the Dodgers right now, Vanessa. I just think, you know, I think, listen, let's just overall look at the roster. Let's look at the coaching staff. I mean, Aaron Boone, I mean, he's been around here for a minute. You know, there's nothing that should surprise him anymore.

22:08He understands the job at hand. He knows what he wants to do. And for my boss, Brian Cashman, you know, he's been very fortunate in his tenure as general manager to win a World Series with every manager that he has ever had. Aaron Boone is one of the nicest human beings on the planet. He's a great leader. Really interested to see how the season goes out for the boys this year. But once again, I think everyone knows the job at hand. I think there for a minute, the expectation bar was being lowered a little bit by saying, oh, yeah, we got to the playoffs. That was a good year. Well, we're New York Yankees.

22:40It's not a good year unless you win the World Series. And I think Derek Jeter proved that. The core four guys set that tone. And I want to make sure that we continue to keep that bar at that level. I think just in general, It feels like, you know, once again, that talent has never really been the issue over in the Bronx. It's just really trying to figure out the little things that we need to do to get ourselves to be able to cross that finish line. Because, yes, you know, every team looks good on paper. But once again, you've got to roll them out there and play it. So I feel like it's nice. Everybody's healthy.

23:08Everybody's in a good spot. Really, really just excited to get off to a great end of March, early April, just to get out of the gates, because that always makes things loosen up a little bit when you get off to a good jump come April. Nick, you're going to be one of the co-hosts for all the Smokes New Baseball podcast alongside Matt Barnes. How did you meet him? How is this? What's this podcast going to be like? Oh, bro, it's going to be legit. I mean, you got to remember, like Matt and I knew each other when he was back at Golden State. And I was with the Oakland A's at the time. So Matt and I go back, you know, 15, 20 years.

23:42Matt is absolutely fantastic. Him and, you know, Steven Jackson, boy, they do absolutely amazing. Those guys are fantastic. I think that you've seen a little bit of some of the interviews that myself and Matt have done, as well as CY, Chris Young and Matt have done. The Eric Davis interview was absolutely fantastic. Just being able to dig in on these guys and just to talk about things, just, you know, life, baseball, the game. I just think in general, I'm so honored. I'm so blessed. I can't wait. You know, I think that there is definitely that cross-contamination from the baseball to the basketball world where, you know, all of us athletes appreciate each other.