MLB owners reportedly set to reelect commissioner Rob Manfred next week
Rob Manfred took over as MLB’s commissioner in 2015
MLB owners are expected to reelect commissioner Rob Manfred to another term next week, according to The Athletic’s Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal.
Manfred needs at least 16 of the 30 team owners to vote in his favor to keep his job. The vote isn’t expected to be anywhere near that close.
“No doubt, there never was,” an anonymous source told The Athletic. “It’s a foregone conclusion [that he will be reelected].”
Manfred, 64, took office as commissioner in 2015. He replaced Bud Selig, who held the post for 22 years. He was reelected in 2018, which extended his second term as commissioner through January 2025. Assuming Manfred is elected again and his term remains at five years, he will be MLB's commissioner through 2030.
Manfred has dealt with plenty of criticism and major issues throughout his tenure — most recently with the Oakland Athletic’s planned move to Las Vegas, Diamond Sports Group’s bankruptcy and minor-league pay — but the league has undoubtedly grown under his watch. It brought in a record nearly $11 billion last season, and its new media rights deal grew by almost $250 million last season, per Forbes.
“I have what I regard to be the best job in the world,” Manfred told The Athletic during the All-Star break earlier this month. “My current thinking is I’d like to continue to do it.”
It’s unclear when the vote to elect Manfred for a third time will take place, though it could happen as early as Tuesday during owners meetings in Washington, D.C. Commissioners are eligible to be reelected as soon as 18 months before their contract expires. If owners opted to replace Manfred or extend the voting window, it would take at least 23 owners to approve the vote instead of a simple majority.
Manfred reportedly earns more than $25 million annually as commissioner. By comparison, NBA commissioner Adam Silver reportedly earns more than $10 million per season, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reportedly earns more than $60 million per season, per Front Office Sports.
