MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred concluded his first set of owners meetings this afternoon, and he firmly stood behind the league’s position in the ongoing MASN media rights dispute. The league, Nationals, and the Orioles-controlled RSN are all awaiting a ruling from Judge Lawrence Marks in the N.Y. State Supreme Court following oral arguments on Monday. But Manfred today predicted the Nationals will ultimately gain the elevated rights fees awarded to them last year by the league’s Revenue Sharing Definitions Committee. That award is now enjoined while the MASN lawsuit continues. “The RSDC was empowered to set the rights fee, and that’s what they did,” Manfred said. “Sooner or later, MASN is going to be required to pay those rights fees.”
Manfred also said the league is reviewing the issue of minority hiring following recent managerial changes by the Brewers and Marlins without a minority interview, as required by the league’s Selig Rule. Manfred acknowledged in-season switches such as these are difficult, and said, "If a club has an internal candidate that they’re so sure about that they’re willing to forego the opportunity to interview anyone, forcing people through an interview process doesn’t really make a lot of sense." But he added, "We have some ideas that we’re working on that go beyond the Selig Rule and provide additional support for (minority) candidates."
The commissioner noted the idea of reducing the MLB regular season to 154 games continues to be discussed informally, but said it remains “a huge economic issue” requiring significant additional study before reaching a stage of formal bargaining with the MLBPA. He added the entire group of owners met with ESPN President John Skipper to discuss their ongoing relationship. Manfred: “It was a great interaction with all the owners and one of our really important business partners.”
