Rob Manfred sees Super Bowl-style bidding for All-Star Game
Less than two weeks into his tenure, new MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is already making plenty of waves with his ever-growing list of proposed changes. As we move along, it’s possible those waves will only get bigger, as we’re now learning of Manfred’s intentions to change the way MLB All-Star hosts are selected.
In a recent interview with ESPN’s Jayson Stark, Manfred said he envisions the league moving more toward a Super Bowl-type bidding process when determining future All-Star game sites. A change that would vastly alter the process, and perhaps leave some teams on the outside looking in at the expense of repeat hosts.
“One of the things that I am going to try to do with All-Star Games is — and we’ll make some announcements in the relatively short-term — I am looking to be in more of a competitive-bidding, Super Bowl-awarding-type mode, as opposed to [saying], `You know, I think Chicago is a good idea.'”
When we think about changes to the All-Star game, this isn’t what we have in mind. I think most would agree the league needs to address the All-Star game determining home field advantage in the World Series before looking at anything else, but Manfred has given no indication that’s on the table.
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As for the selection process, traditionally, MLB has alternated All-Star game venues between leagues. There have been some rare exceptions however, most recently in 2006 and 2007 when the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants hosted back-to-back All-Star games. But that was at a time when the leagues were unbalanced and the focus was on featuring new ballparks and teams that had not recently hosted the event.
The tradition of alternating leagues was more notably set aside again on Jan. 15 when the league changed course and awarded the 2016 All-Star game to the San Diego Padres over the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles, making it back-to-back NL hosts again. The 2015 All-Star game will be hosted by the Cincinnati Reds. There’s a lot of speculation as to the reason for the change, but there’s no doubt it leaves a convenient opening for Manfred to buck tradition all together and implement changes.
With that in mind, Manfred did not offer details as to how the bidding would work, so it’s not completely clear how often teams will be allowed to bid and whether or not how recently or frequently a team has hosted the event will be considered. Stark does note that he believes the league will weigh several different factors, including which teams can produce the best “All-Star experience” and that league will have no baring.
Since baseball is a summer sport, weather won’t be nearly the issue it is for the NFL when selecting a Super Bowl host. That should give every team a fighting chance, but there are obviously some cities and ballparks that will be more appealing than others.
Stark also indicates that teams who have already been promised a future All-Star game, such as the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals, will have their promises honored. Hearing that, it sounds like bidding for the All-Star game could still be three or four years down the road.
Tell us what you think of Manfred’s vision? Are you fine with teams bidding on the All-Star game, or would you keep the alternating league tradition alive?
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
