The hunt for the MLB’s next commissioner has been narrowed to just 3 finalists. The three candidates who have survived the selection process 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. The selection happens on August 14th, where 23 of the 30 MLB owners must approve the final owner.
Meanwhile current MLB commissioner, Bud Selig, is scheduled to terminate his responsibilities on January 24, 2015. Selig’s shoes won’t be easy to fill. He’s been serving as commissioner since 1992. He first started as acting commissioner and was officially named commissioner in 1998. Here are the rundowns of each candidate. You decide who you think the next commissioner should be.
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.
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.
[h/t Sports Illustrated]