Rob Manfred Hopes to Be Re-Elected as MLB Commissioner: 'Best Job in the World'

Rob Manfred's current contract doesn't expire until January 2025, but he hopes to be re-elected as commissioner at some point before then.

Speaking to The Athletic's Evan Drellich, Manfred called being MLB commissioner "the best job in the world" and his "current thinking is I'd like to continue to do it."

Drellich noted that a nine-month window when Manfred can be re-elected by a majority vote of team owners will open 18 months before his current deal expires, or approximately two weeks from Wednesday.

Owners have the ability to vote on re-electing Manfred outside the nine-month window, but that would require approval from three-quarters of owners instead of a simple majority.

Manfred assumed office on Jan. 25, 2015, after being elected in August to replace Bud Selig. Selig, who took over as acting commissioner in 1992, announced in 2013 he would retire when his contract expired.

Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner was the other candidate on the ballot when Manfred was voted in. MLB executive vice president of business Tim Brosnan initially ran for the job before dropping out shortly before voting began.

Manfred began working in MLB on a full-time basis in 1998 when Selig hired him as executive vice president for economics and league affairs. He was appointed to chief operating office by Selig in 2013 as part of the transition process before Selig's retirement.

Owners unanimously voted to approve a five-year contract extension that runs through the 2024 season for Manfred in November 2018.

There have been a number of controversial moments for Manfred and MLB in recent years. The sport had its first work stoppage in 26 years two offseasons ago when the lockout began on Dec. 1, 2021; the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox were embroiled in sign-stealing scandals; the league cut 42 teams from the minor leagues; and the situation between the A's, Oakland and Las Vegas led fans in Seattle to chant during the All-Star Game "sell the team" toward Athletics majority owner John Fisher.

Manfred has overseen some positive developments that will almost certainly help his chances of remaining commissioner. The new rule changes, particularly the pitch clock, have been widely praised.

But the most important factor for owners is money, and MLB set a new league record with more than $10.8 billion in revenue last year. Drellich noted attendance is up 8.1 percent per game this season compared to 2022, and ratings for the 29 U.S.-based regional sports networks is up three percent, "despite all RSNs having lost between 7 and 13 percent of subscribers year over year."

The discussion over RSNs could hurt Manfred because Diamond Sports Group, the parent company of Bally Sports that holds broadcast rights for 14 teams, filed for bankruptcy in March.

Manfred told reporters this week that teams have collected 94 percent of the money they are owed from Diamond Sports so far this season.

Teams are able to earn money this season thanks to the new CBA allowing them to sell jersey-patch advertisements that several clubs have taken advantage of.

A third term would likely keep Manfred as commissioner through the 2029 season. Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis (1921 to '44), Ford Frick (1951 to '65), Bowie Kuhn (1969 to '84) and Selig (1998 to 2015) are the only commissioners who have served at least 14 years in the role.