It was back in July that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred saw his contract extended until 2029. As one of the most-embattled individuals at his position in professional sports, this didn’t necessarily sit well with some fans of the game.
We will not see another extension. Manfred told reporters on Thursday that he’ll retire in early 2029 once said extension expires.
“You can only have so much fun in one lifetime. I have been open with them (the owners) about the fact that this is going to be my last term,” Rob Manfred told reporters.
Manfred, 65, has headed MLB since taking over for Bud Selig as commissioner all the way back in 2013. He has overseen some major scandals in the game and is a divisive figure among baseball fans.
MLB’s head also broke some news in his presser, telling reporters the expectation is that MLB will expand to 32 teams before he leaves office. He clarified by noting that expansion teams might not be awarded by early 2029. But the process should be in place.
MLB expansion before Rob Manfred leaves office
Expansion has been the talk of the Major League Baseball world in recent years. A Salt Lake City group in Utah has been pursuing MLB expansion for some time now.
Cities in Texas like Austin and San Antonio, along with North Carolina and Florida, remain possibilities. A minority-led group is has also been looking for MLB to expand to Nashville. This doesn’t take into account the possibility of Portland, Oregon being considered. Heck, Montreal could very well be an option.
One thing we do know is that Las Vegas is not going to go the expansion route. Manfred called the Oakland A’s deal to move to Southern Nevada “solid” in talking with reporters on Thursday. The A’s are set to move from Northern California to Nevada in time for the 2028 MLB season.