MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has stated “several times his goal to create ‘one-stop shopping’ for MLB games,” a way for fans to “stream any game, any team, anywhere, for a reasonable price,” according to Phil Miller of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Manfred on Thursday said, “Any club that Diamond [Sports Group] walks away from, we will be in a position to support them, both within the traditional cable model and on the digital side of the house.” He added, “It doesn't matter if it's three more [teams] or 10 more, we will handle them. That's the most important point -- our fans will be able to see their games.” The Twins, with no broadcasting commitment beyond this year, are “considered a likely participant in such a product.” Manfred said that the need to provide a streaming option is “becoming urgent.” He said, “It's a question of reach. You've got to get the games in the household, and the economics of the broadcast in some ways are secondary to the rest of our business.” Still, he said that baseball is “not giving up on the traditional cable TV model of offering games,” as that system is the “most lucrative way to broadcast games” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/15).
GETTING IN MOTION: In Tampa, Marc Topkin reported Manfred would like to see the Rays’ planned new ballpark “approved by the city and county, and construction started as soon as possible.” In getting the deal done, he that said the Rays, who have been “able to enjoy success on a budget,” will be “able to transform the way they do business.” Manfred said, “I think that the plan has the potential to significantly alter the economics of the franchise and make what has been an unbelievably efficient and effective organization even more effective, because you’ll have additional resources.” St. Petersburg officials said Thursday that a planned April vote by the City Council now will be “pushed back until at least May,” which could “impact the team’s plans to break ground by the end of the year in what officials say will be a tight construction timeline” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 2/15).
NAMES IN THE HAT: SPORTSNET.ca’s Shi Davidi writes Manfred “seemed to position” the Blue Jays and Cubs as “prime candidates to host the final two all-star games he expects to award before he retires as commissioner.” Manfred said that said he will hand out the contests for 2027 and 2028 “prior to his term ending.” The Blue Jays have hosted the ASG once, back in 1991, with the Cubs last hosting the game in 1990. The Blue Jays have been “pushing to host an all-star game for a couple of years now” and a “glimpse of what could be in the city” came earlier this month when Toronto hosted the NHL’s version of the contest (SPORTSNET.ca, 2/16).
