Skip to main content

MLB down to three finalists for next commissioner

Major League Baseball has chosen three finalists to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. The three remaining candidates are Rob Manfred, MLB's chief operating officer, Tim Brosnan, the league's executive vice president of business, and Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner. 
  • Author:
  • Publish date:

Major League Baseball has chosen three finalists to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The three remaining candidates are Rob Manfred, MLB's chief operating officer, Tim Brosnan, the league's executive vice president of business, and Boston Red Sox chairman Tom Werner. 

Selig announced his plans to retire in Sept. 2013, and will continue in his duties until Jan. 24, 2015. MLB's owners will meet on Aug. 14 to select his replacement. Twenty-three of 30 owners must approve in order to elect a new commissioner. 

According to Manfred's MLB.com bio, he "reports directly to the commissioner and oversees all of the traditional functions of the Commissioner's Office, including labor relations, baseball operations, finance, administration and club governance." Manfred was the executive vice president of labor relations for 15 years before becoming MLB's COO. 

More: Brewers starter Matt Garza headed to the DL

Brosnan oversees all of the business aspects related to MLB, including licensing, sponsorship and broadcasting, in the United States and abroad. 

Werner is the only candidate from outside MLB offices. He is a co-founder and investor in Fenway Sports Group, along with John Henry and Larry Luchino. The group bought the Red Sox in 2002, and Werner still serves as the team's chairman. Werner started out in entertainment, co-founding the Carsey-Werner Company, which produced shows like The Cosby Show, Roseanne and That 70's Show

- Alex Hampl