Baer is no longer the Giants' designated MLB control person, which he was before his suspensionGETTY IMAGES
MLB Giants President & CEO Larry Baer returned to his post on July 2 after serving a three-month suspension, and he said his time away from the team "allowed him to refocus on some things and reevaluate some others," according to Andrew Baggarly of THE ATHLETIC. Baer said, "The organization has been terrific -- everybody up and down the organization, the board, [Giants BOD member] Rob Dean, has been unbelievable. But I really wanted to make sure that there were no questions unanswered or stones unturned if anybody had questions, issues, etc. We had an all-company meeting. And not just the front office." On remaining the team's CEO but no longer the designated MLB control person, Baer said, "It’s not really much of a change, or any change per se. You have to separate governance from management." He added, "MLB asks you to designate a control person -- and that’s a designation, not a job -- and Rob stepped in as interim CEO and did an amazing job. He is remaining as the control person." Baer said while ticket sales are down, he does not "think the strength of the brand is down." Baer: "The good news is people like coming to the ballpark, the strength of the brand is strong and we’ve been able to diversify some of the bets we make, if you will, with organizational initiatives. We break ground later this year on Mission Rock, we have a healthy business in Giants Enterprises putting on events in the offseason. So that rounds us out in certain ways" (THEATHLETIC.com, 8/9).
