Robert Manfred

Robert D. Manfred, Jr. became Major League Baseball's (MLB) 10th Commissioner on January 25, 2015, following his election by the 30 MLB clubs in 2014. Re-elected to extend his term through 2029, Manfred has overseen transformative changes in baseball, focusing on enhancing fan engagement and modernizing the sport. His tenure has included two labor agreements that contributed to MLB's historic streak of uninterrupted play, which has lasted since 1995.

One of Manfred’s major initiatives has been to accelerate the pace of play and increase game action, responding to years of fan feedback. In 2023, the Competition Committee's rule changes shortened game times by 24 minutes on average and increased stolen bases to their highest level since 1987, fueling a 9.6% boost in attendance compared to 2022. Additionally, Manfred’s leadership brought a significant technological milestone to MLB in 2017 when Disney acquired a 75% stake in BAMTech, a leading video streaming company MLB initially developed.

Manfred has prioritized youth engagement and international growth as core strategies for MLB’s future. In 2015, he launched the PLAY BALL initiative, significantly increasing youth baseball and softball participation in the U.S. MLB has since expanded its presence globally, hosting games in countries including Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. Manfred has also championed unique domestic events like the “Field of Dreams” games in Iowa, which have drawn high viewership and celebrate baseball’s cultural impact.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Manfred led MLB in completing a full season, implementing health protocols that enabled games to proceed safely and responsibly, marking MLB as the first sports league to play a full season amid the crisis. Under his guidance, the league achieved a 99.8% completion rate for scheduled games, with minimal disruption.

Beyond operational leadership, Manfred has expanded MLB's community involvement, supporting organizations like the Jackie Robinson Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He also conferred Major League status on the Negro Leagues in 2020, formally recognizing its contributions to baseball history. An accomplished labor lawyer and Cornell and Harvard graduate, Manfred has been a transformative figure in modern baseball, steering the sport toward sustained growth, innovation, and inclusivity.