'The Economics of NPB Farm Teams: From Development to Profit' Released June 9

Wani Books Co., Ltd. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President: Akio Takahashi) released 'The Economics of NPB Farm Teams: From Development to Profit' (author: Itaru Kobayashi) on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

What determined the fate of the new 'farm-only' teams Oisix and Hayate?

Oisix and Kufu Hayate, which entered as new 'farm teams' in 2024, are already showing divergent fortunes after just two years.

Furthermore, existing 12 teams are enhancing events at farm games, and multiple teams like Yakult and Lotte are moving or renovating their farm team home stadiums. The NPB's 'farm teams' are becoming a content category in their own right.

Regarding these recent trends, a former professional baseball player from the University of Tokyo who also served in the management of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, now a professor at J. F. Oberlin University, explains the business of 'NPB farm teams' with the latest information on all 14 farm teams.

- Why were 'farm-only teams' created now?
- Is NPB the 'minor league of MLB'?
- Farm teams, once seen as 'deficit divisions,' are becoming investment targets.

■ Table of Contents
Chapter 1: What is Happening to Farm Teams?
Chapter 2: Paradigm Shift to the 'Era of Earning from Farm Teams'
Chapter 3: The Divergent Fortunes of Farm Teams Oisix and Hayate
Chapter 4: Transforming Farm Team Home Stadiums
Chapter 5: The Japan Minor League Concept

■ Book Information
'The Economics of NPB Farm Teams: From Development to Profit'
Author: Itaru Kobayashi
Release Date: June 9, 2026
Price: 1,210 yen (tax included)
ISBN: 978-4-8470-6727-3
Publisher: Wani Books

■ Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4847067274

■ Author Profile
Itaru Kobayashi
Professor at the Faculty of Health and Welfare, J. F. Oberlin University. Ph.D. in Sports Science, MBA. Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1968. After being a practice player for the Lotte Orions, he was drafted in the 8th round by the Chiba Lotte Marines in 1991. He is one of the few University of Tokyo graduates to become a professional baseball player. After leaving the team, he lived in the US for seven years from 1994, earning an MBA from Columbia University. From 2002, he served as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor at Edogawa University. He concurrently served as a Director of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks from 2005 to 2014, and has been in his current position since April 2020. He is a board member of the General Incorporated Association University Sports Association (UNIVAS) and President of the General Incorporated Association Sports Management Interpretation Association. He also runs the YouTube channel 'Kobayashi Itaru's Moneyball'.