WHEN: Today, Tuesday, September 10
WHERE: CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit
Following are excerpts from the unofficial transcript of the Future-Proofing America’s Pastime panel that took place today, Tuesday, September 10th, live during the CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit in Los Angeles. The panel featured speakers including Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner; Albert Pujols, MLB Special Asst. to Commissioner and Network Analyst; and CC Sabathia, MLB Special Asst. to Commissioner and Players Alliance Board VP.
Mandatory credit: CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit.
ROB MANFRED AT GAME PLAN ON MLB ATTENDANCE
Well, I think the single biggest reason, which is, you know, always the most important thing in sports is what’s going on on the field. You know, we made a set of changes in our rules last year that I think dramatically improved the product on the field. Pitch clock, moved the game along, took out a lot of our dead time, put an emphasis on athleticism that was really important.
ROB MANFRED AT GAME PLAN ON MLB MEDIA CHALLENGES
I think that a key for us is self-sufficiency because of our investment in technology, we are in a position that, no matter what else happens, we can serve our fans. You know, we had to step in, in Arizona, San Diego and Colorado, put games up with not very much notice, I think that self-sufficiency is really important. The second thing I would say, you know, while the regional model was great for baseball financially, I actually think the crisis that we’re seeing right now presents baseball with a great opportunity. The regional model forced us local, local, local. I think as we move forward and as the landscape continues to change, we have an opportunity to make our sport more national, increase our reach, deal with the blackout issue that has plagued us for years and I think as with every crisis, there’s an opportunity to make your business better.
CC SABATHIA AT GAME PLAN ON BASEBALL POPULARITY
I think basketball and football does it – I think basketball just in general, does a great job of, you know, it’s not regional, like we know the guys in Oklahoma City. We know the guys in these smaller markets in Minnesota, where it’s harder to find that in baseball, because, you know, the regional sports networks have such a hold on these teams.
ALBERT PUJOLS AT GAME PLAN ON BASEBALLS GLOBAL IMPACT
Through the programs and through the things that the commissioner has done at Major League Baseball has been unbelievable. I think since he took over, the office has done an unbelievable job to continue to grow the sport, not just here in America but as well as taking it – I would say I was part of the last couple of years, the London series, I mean, being part of this year’s series, it was unbelievable. Close to 50,000, 60,000 people were attending, and that’s something that’s really special. Also, in Latin America, and when you’re talking about the World Baseball Classic, when you go down and see a series down in Miami, in Houston, it’s about the talent, and it’s about growing the game but that impact, you know, those two program have made around globally.
For more information contact:
Erin Kitzie
CNBC
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