In this episode of On Stage, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred joins SBJ Senior Writer Joe Lemire for a candid conversation on the business, challenges and opportunities shaping professional baseball.
Recorded on April 22, 2025, at the CAA World Congress of Sports presented by Sports Business Journal, this keynote captures Manfred’s perspective just months before major headlines about MLB’s labor landscape and new national media rights negotiations. While the news cycle has since moved quickly -- with fresh updates on his talks with players over the next labor agreement and signs of progress on a new media deal -- this conversation offers an evergreen look at the commissioner’s leadership priorities and long-term vision for the league. It’s a valuable snapshot of the commissioner’s thinking -- one that’s as relevant today as when he stepped on stage.
Topics include:
- Labor Relations: How MLB approaches dialogue with the players’ union and lessons from past negotiations.
- Media and Distribution Strategy: MLB’s vision for its next rights deal and the role of direct-to-consumer streaming.
- The Business of the Game: Expanding MLB’s global reach and deepening engagement with younger fans.
- Competition and On-Field Innovation: Balancing tradition with changes that improve pace of play and overall fan experience.
- Leadership at the Helm: What it takes to guide a century-old league in a rapidly evolving sports landscape.
