- MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced that he will be resigning from his position following the end of his five-year term in 2029.
- Theo Epstein is favored to be the next MLB commissioner after Manfred’s contract expires.
- Barack Obama is the second most likely candidate, according to online bookies.
Following 14 years of service, Rob Manfred has announced that he will be stepping down from his position as MLB commissioner. Red Sox part-owner and MLB consultant, Theo Epstein, is the betting favorite to be the next commissioner of Major League Baseball, followed by Barack Obama!
Epstein has +400 odds of being elected as the 11th commissioner in MLB history. At +400, the odds afford Epstein a 20% chance of being elected as MLB commissioner.
Before resigning in early February to take on his new position, Epstein was working as an MLB consultant and an informal member of the MLB’s Competition Committee and On-Field Committee.
Epstein’s Career Includes 20+ Years of Success
The 50-year-old baseball executive’s MLB career has covered more than 20 years in high-ranking positions. From 2003 to 2011, Epstein served as general manager of the Boston Red Sox, where he made an immediate impact. The potential commissioner was with the Red Sox for their 2004 and 2007 World Series titles.
Since Epstein’s departure from Boston, the Red Sox added two more World Series championships in 2013 and 2018. However, Epstein would go on to have more success as president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs.
Days after resigning as the Red Sox GM in 2011, Epstein signed the deal with the Cubs. Following a rebuild in Wrigleyville, the Cubs captured the 2016 World Series title in seven games over Cleveland.
Epstein would ultimately resign from his post with the Cubs in 2020 to enter the MLB offices as a consultant. Most recently, Epstein returned to the Red Sox organization by becoming a part-owner and senior advisor of the Fenway Sports Group.
As well as owning the Red Sox, Fenway Sports Group owns the Premier League’s Liverpool F.C. and NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
Epstein Obvious Choice for MLB Commissioner
After ending the curses of two long-suffering franchises, Epstein has found success as a baseball executive in the MLB offices. He has repeatedly resigned from positions to advance in his career. Epstein’s latest career move might be his most notable to date.
The 50-year-old native of New York is venturing into the world of major team ownership. Epstein will also have some push as a senior advisor in his new role. So, the question remains: Does Epstein want to be the next MLB commissioner?
If Epstein reveals that he is running for MLB commissioner, it appears likely that there is a better than 20% chance he will get the job. The executive has developed a solid rapport with owners throughout MLB during his baseball career.
Owners are ultimately responsible for who will be the next MLB commissioner. Toward the end of the current tenure in 2029, they will vote on a new commissioner to replace Manfred. As long as Epstein isn’t embroiled in a controversy and wants the job, he has to be the front-runner. Unless a certain former president has something say about it!
Barack Obama Possible MLB Commissioner
According to BetOnline’s next MLB commissioner odds, former President Barack Obama is on the shortlist of options. Currently, Obama is +1400 to be named the next MLB commissioner. Obama has an implied probability of 6.7% to be MLB commissioner in 2029. He is a known sports fan, but has never disclosed any intentions of leading MLB.
The former president’s inclusion on the MLB commissioner odds at BetOnline comes as a surprise, but perhaps there is something behind it that we aren’t currently aware of. That said, in five years, Obama will be 67 years old and probably more interested in relaxing at Martha’s Vineyard than running a professional sports league.
Aside from Epstein and Obama, Cal Ripken Jr. (+2000), Bob Costas (+6600), and Tim Kurkjian (+10000) are included in the odds.
Most likely, it’s going to be Epstein, or a person who isn’t being mentioned right now. With five years remaining of Manfred, there is still ample time for a new contender to jump into the arena.
