MLB owners concluded their quarterly meetings Thursday in Chicago by formally approving the establishment of BAM Tech as a standalone entity and endorsing the ongoing search for strategic investors and other investment opportunities. BAM Tech has grown from a portion of MLBAM servicing digital media and streaming efforts of third-party content owners and programmers, and has seen that rise accelerate further in recent months with the acquisition of large-scale deals with the NHL and HBO, among others. Owners also approved folding MLB Properties organizationally back within the Office of the Commissioner. MLB Properties previously existed as a separate holding company. With Commissioner Rob Manfred’s unification of all MLB business under President of Business & Media Bob Bowman, such separation was no longer needed or wanted. Manfred said the league has been transformed by the streamlining of the sport’s business operations. Manfred: “It has ... made a difference in how we communicate with our sponsors and media partners. We’re trying to add luster to the face of our game, and I think we’ve made good progress.” MLB additionally announced the hiring of exec search firm Korn Ferry to provide candidates, particularly minorities and women, assistance as they seek various baseball operations positions. It is expected that numerous senior-level jobs, particularly at the club level, will become available this coming offseason, and the Korn Ferry retention is designed to spur additional inclusion (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer).
OPENING NEW POSSIBILITIES: The AP's Jay Cohen noted there "has never been" a female GM in MLB, and there are "very few women and minorities on that side of the organizational structure." While MLB has had a minority interview requirement for key openings in baseball operations for several years, Manfred said the league thinks Korn Ferry "might be able to improve the effectiveness of the rule by making minority candidates who get an interview more effective in that interview process" (AP, 8/13). USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale cites a source as saying that there "could be as many as 14 clubs seeking to hire a manager, GM or club president this winter." There currently are "seven minority managers, GMs and presidents" (USATODAY.com, 8/13).
EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT: MLB.com's Paul Hagen noted Manfred "repeated his commitment to growing the game internationally." Manfred: "We have a variety of locations that we're looking at in the hope we'll be playing (regular-season games) abroad. But we don't have any on the calendar right now." Hagen noted youth initiatives "have been a cornerstone of Manfred's agenda, and he indicated there will be announcements soon about additional Urban Youth Academies." He also "praised the success of the first Elite Development Invitational that was held recently in Vero Beach, Fla., which made two weeks of coaching by former big leagues available to 158 players, many of them minorities." Finally, he noted that 130 mayors are "hosting grass-roots Play Ball events this month," and thanked the MLBPA "for its commitment to this effort" (MLB.com, 8/13).
LOOKING AHEAD TO CBA TALKS: USA TODAY's Nightengale reports Manfred and MLB Exec VP/Labor Relations Dan Halem are "making preparations for formal labor negotiations with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire after next season." Manfred: “I have always been a big negotiation preparation person. I think the better job you do in that preparation, the better chance you have to make a deal, and make it effective. I think Dan has taken that process really seriously, and has done a tremendous amount of work already" (USATODAY.com, 8/13).
