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The WBC is thriving. Rob Manfred says MLB might consider moving it to midseason
- Following the 2026 World Baseball Classic, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is exploring moving the tournament to midseason to minimize player restrictions that clubs often impose during spring training.
- The 2026 WBC drew 1,619,839 fans, a 24% increase over 2023, while the U.S. semifinal victory over the Dominican Republic reached 7.37 million viewers, prompting Manfred to say the tournament reached "a different level."
- Teams frequently restrict participation during spring training, limiting pitchers like Tarik Skubal to single appearances; a midseason tournament would likely lead to fewer stars declining participation.
- Scheduling remains complex, with Manfred citing All-Star Game commitments to Fox through 2028 and potential 2028 Los Angeles Olympics participation, pushing the next tournament cycle to 2029 or 2030.
- Manfred noted the tournament acts as a springboard for international efforts and is evaluating whether a three- or four-year cycle best serves the event's long-term business relationships.
45 Articles
45 Articles
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Rob Manfred would go down in MLB history as one of its most transformational commissioners. From hinting about implementing a salary cap to expanding MLB to 32 teams, Manfred has a few changes on his plate. However, what he hinted at on Wednesday could change the course of how baseball is played now. With the 2026 WBC breaking attendance and broadcast viewer records, Manfred is all for cashing in on it to the max, but not without facing resistan…
Rob Manfred Gives His Take On World Baseball Classic
Based on attendance and viewership numbers, the 2026 World Baseball Classic was a resounding success, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred indicated as much after the tournament concluded.“There’s no resemblance to where we started in 2006,” Manfred told the Associated Press on Wednesday. “This one, I feel like it went to a different level. We set an attendance record after the early play. By the time we got into the semis and the final it was all g…
Rob Manfred Considers Replacing All-Star Game With World Baseball Classic After Massive Success
The 2026 edition of the World Baseball Classic was a gigantic, runaway success. And Major League Baseball is hoping to take advantage of it. Attendance skyrocketed. Ratings were way up. Investment and buy in from most players, and particularly the fans, was remarkable. To the point where some players, including Team USA captain Aaron Judge, said that the atmosphere in the stadium surpassed that of a World Series game. Ticket prices for the final…
"Don't use our pitchers in the WBC, they are gone now. Possibility of holding the next tournament in July, however, the challenges are formidable." Sports Chosun Reporter Park Sang-kyung. Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred hinted at the possibility of adjusting the timing of the next World Baseball Classic (WBC). In an interview with the Associated Press on the 19th (KST), Commissioner Manfred...
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