LA's youth program renamed to Dodgers Dreamteam

February 3rd, 2022

LOS ANGELES -- On Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation announced that it has changed the name of its sports-based youth development program from Dodgers RBI to Dodgers Dreamteam.

During the unveiling of the new name, LADF chief executive officer Nichol Whiteman was joined by Dodgers owner Earvin “Magic” Johnson and former first baseman Adrián González. Norma Edith Garcia-González, the director of parks and recreation, and a handful of youth participants were also in attendance.

“Dodgers Dreamteam celebrates the many individuals, groups and resources that come together to support youth development through sport,” Whiteman said. “It conveys a greater sense of future focus, reflects on the comprehensive nature of the program and doubles down on our impactful vision for our neighborhoods. We will continue to provide critical resources and services to those in our city experiencing social injustices. Dodgers Dreamteam is more than just sports, it’s hope for a brighter future.”

The logo of the Dodgers Dreamteam was also unveiled during Thursday’s announcement. With a rebrand, the Dodgers are aiming to show the start of a new chapter for the program, with a goal to reach 25,000 youth annually by 2030.

“Kids and families should not have to decide whether they will engage in sports based on how much money they have,” González said. “These vital leadership activities should be available to all, no matter where you live, no matter your financial status. Dodgers Dreamteam will help further that goal.”

The Dodgers’ vision is that the Dreamteam helps bring families, volunteers, recreation departments and non-profit organizations together to help support youth development through the power of sports. It also strives to increase participation of underrepresented groups, specifically Black youth, girls and teenagers.

“Partnering with LADF means having an ally,” Garcia-González said. “It means having a globally recognized brand that helps amplify our message across the parks and recreation profession and all youth serving organizations, that kids deserve out-of-school-time opportunities to play.”

This season, the Dodgers’ Foundation has committed to work with 13 partners, including the Major League Baseball Youth Academy, in order to serve 12,000 kids across the city. The participants will have access to top quality baseball and softball programs with necessary equipment and uniforms.

The program will also include community resource fairs that will provide opportunities for families to receive basic needs, food and health care resources. If you want to get involved with the program as either a participant, coach or volunteer, visit Dodgers.com/Dreamteam.

“I played on a [Dream Team] and we went undefeated,” Johnson said. “And this Dreamteam is going to go undefeated, too, in the community and make a big impact.”