We have received confirmation regarding the end date of Rob Manfred’s term as MLB commissioner. Manfred informed reporters on Thursday that he plans to conclude his tenure after January 25, 2029, marking the conclusion of his current term. Having assumed the position in 2015, he will have served for 14 years.
Manfred stated, “I have been open with them (the owners) about the fact that this is going to be my last term,” indicating his intention to step down. This announcement may be welcomed by MLB fans who have expressed frustration with Manfred’s leadership. However, with five more years in office, he still has ample time to enact further changes.
During Manfred’s tenure, various alterations to the game have been introduced, such as the ghost runner rule and pitch clock, alongside the expansion of the postseason and the universal adoption of the designated hitter (DH). Additionally, Manfred has expressed plans to expand the league from 30 to 32 teams before his departure.
A significant concern for fans during Manfred’s time as commissioner has been the issue of blackout restrictions affecting TV viewing of certain teams. If Manfred can address this problem by consolidating broadcasting rights and offering a streaming package devoid of blackouts, it would likely satisfy fans. However, it’s uncertain whether he can fully recover from the negative perceptions stemming from his handling of the Houston Astros cheating scandal, which remains a significant blemish on his record.
