Rob Manfred has no plans for the MLB delaying or shortening its 2021 regular-season.
Despite the continued uncertainty amidst the landscape of professional sports, it appears onwards and upwards for baseball. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred informed teams Monday to prepare for a normal schedule throughout the 2021 regular-season. This includes a February start time for spring training and a full 162-game slate.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported this news via three sources with direct knowledge of the league’s conference call on Monday.
Rob Manfred: MLB teams should plan for spring training to start on time, full 162-game season to be played https://t.co/MCH7NB88CT
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 12, 2021
It’s unclear if Manfred is remaining steadfast and optimistic for his league or if these plans are concrete and attainable.
From a competitive standpoint, the MLB proved its ability to conduct a regular-season, including travel, during a global pandemic last season. While a number of teams endured COVID-19 outbreaks, by the end of October the MLB crowned a champion according to the scheduled timeline. This condensed schedule included regular double-headers, limited travel, and a semi postseason bubble, but the MLB worked through these challenges.
The MLB was not the only North American professional sports league to work through challenges in 2020. While pulling off the conclusion of these campaigns, shortened or not, was miraculous, the leagues sit in more desperate positions. A full 2021 campaign is vital for the continued financial health of these leagues.
According to Nightengale, MLB teams lost $3 billion in revenue while players received only 37 percent of their salaries last year.
It was originally reported the league hoped to delay the start of next year, by at least a month, to provide additional time for players, staff, and fans to be vaccinated. The MLB Players Association denied this from happening.
Some tough negotiations lie ahead for the league and its player’s union. This includes talks regarding health and safety protocols, expanded playoffs, the universal DH rule, and player salaries.
If last season proved to fans anything, it’s that the professional sports leagues will prevail and work through any challenges presented. It’s more a question of how normal will these seasons look. The 2021 regular-season won’t use drastic changes such as a 60-game shortened season, but it’s hard to imagine the script goes 100 percent to plan.