MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's Vision for the League

Rob Manfred, the MLB Commissioner, discussed the league's plans for growth and expansion during the CNBC x Boardroom's Game Plan sports business event. He emphasized the importance of adopting a more national strategy to broaden the reach of the mlb and attract a wider audience.

• MLB aims to transition from a predominantly regional sport to a national one.
• With a vast amount of content (2,430 games), the league seeks a more national broadcasting approach.
• While retaining some local components, the overall strategy will focus on reaching a national audience.

Impact of Regional Sports Networks on MLB

The MLB has been affected by the bankruptcy restructuring of Diamond Sports, the largest owner of regional sports networks. This development has prompted some teams to part ways with regional networks and partner with the MLB directly for game production and broadcasting.

• Diamond Sports, a major regional sports network owner, filed for bankruptcy.
• Some MLB teams have turned to the league itself to air games after parting ways with Diamond Sports.
• The mlb is exploring alternative broadcasting solutions amid the changing regional sports network landscape.

Importance of Star Power in MLB

The panelists, including former MLB greats CC Sabathia and Albert Pujols, emphasized the significance of star power in the mlb. They acknowledged the league's existing stars like Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and Juan Soto but highlighted the need to create and market star starting pitchers more effectively.

• MLB has notable stars like Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and Juan Soto.
• The league needs to better promote and market star starting pitchers.
• Potential rule changes, like minimum inning requirements for starters, could increase pitchers' prominence.

Recent MLB Rule Changes and Their Impact

The MLB has implemented various rule changes in recent years to enhance the game's pace and excitement. These include limits on pickoffs, larger bases, and restrictions on defensive shifts, leading to an increase in stolen bases and more athletic plays.

• Limits on pickoffs and larger bases were introduced in 2023.
• Defensive shifts were pared down, allowing for more hits and athletic plays.
• These changes have resulted in a boom in stolen bases over the past two seasons.

Diversity and Inclusion in MLB

The panelists discussed the importance of diversifying the mlb's audience and player base. The league officially recognized statistics from the Negro Leagues this year and plans to increase efforts in underserved communities to attract a more diverse demographic of players and fans.

• MLB recognized statistics from the Negro Leagues for the first time in 2023.
• The league aims to increase outreach in underserved communities.
• Attracting a wider demographic of players and fans is a priority for greater diversity and inclusion.