00:00All right, we're joined by Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred.
00:03Commissioner, thank you so much for joining us here at Tuned In.
00:05And we've got to talk first about this incredible race to the finish in the playoff race.
00:10You have seven teams competing for that final wildcard spot, some of them just four games out.
00:16What does that feel like to have this great sort of finish and so many teams in the mix here?
00:20Well, I think it is an endorsement of the playoff format.
00:24We really helped us drive attendance during September, a lot of excitement for our fans,
00:28and more markets engaged, which is what it's about at the end of the day.
00:31You talk about excitement and fans engagement.
00:33MLB All-Star, Home Run Derby, still some of the best in terms of attendance and viewership across any sport.
00:39How do you guys continue to make it even better year after year?
00:43Well, I think we try to look at it at the end of each All-Star week and think about what might make it better.
00:50I think the swing off this year was a huge success for us.
00:53We've been waiting, I think, six or seven years to get one.
00:56Actually, I had actually forgotten about the change until it came time to do it,
01:01but it was a huge hit with the fans and a great way to end an All-Star game.
01:05And we know with Major League Baseball compared to other leagues,
01:07the regional sports networks obviously are a backbone for teams to connect with their local fans.
01:13Where do you sort of see RSNs in the future of the negotiations for their rights,
01:17and where do you sort of see them playing a role here?
01:19Well, I think that there is going to continue to be a place for the RSNs.
01:23You know, there's a lot of local inventory in our sport.
01:28We continue to generate good economics for them.
01:31I think we need to work with the RSNs to make sure that the program is compelling
01:35and economically viable as possible.
01:38All right, as we are nearing the postseason, I have to ask, looking back,
01:41what has been kind of the highlight or moment that really you've enjoyed the most about this season?
01:45Every season I feel like brings something different.
01:47What's it this season that's had you most thrilled?
01:49You know, it got out of the way early for me.
01:52Tokyo was unbelievable for the opener.
01:55I will tell you, I feel like we got robbed of a home run in Bristol.
01:59The pregame in Bristol, the ticket sales to a number of people,
02:04the Tim McGraw concert was unbelievable, the players going around the track,
02:08and then unfortunately the weather put a little damper on me.
02:12Sure, sure.
02:13But is the expectation we'll see more cool events and stuff like that down the road?
02:17Yeah, I think we will continue to try to take regular season games, eventize them.
02:22I think there's spots in the calendar where that can be really important for us
02:26in terms of driving interest.
Comments