MLB Commissioner Supports Diversity Amid Changes
In February, during a wave of executive orders from President Donald Trump aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred reaffirmed the league’s commitment to maintaining its diversity values.
However, a month later, the MLB Careers website is noticeably lacking any mention of “diversity.” Information about the previously celebrated Diversity Pipeline Program, established to address the deficiency of diversity in MLB’s front offices, appears to have been completely removed from the site.
An MLB spokesperson stated, “As the commissioner has indicated, our values on diversity remain unchanged. We are currently assessing our programs for any necessary adjustments to eligibility criteria to ensure compliance with federal law as the initiatives move forward,” in comments made to The Athletic.
The league also confirmed that Tyrone Brooks, who has directed the program since its launch in 2016, will continue in his role and that the pipeline program will persist. However, the application link for the program has vanished from its designated page.
The updates to MLB’s website were initially highlighted by Craig Calcaterra. Manfred originally established the Diversity Pipeline Program to enhance the representation of minority and female candidates in baseball operations across all 30 teams and the league office.
Since its inception, the Diversity Pipeline Program has led to over 400 hires. Nonetheless, the recent departures of executives like Kim Ng (Miami Marlins), Farhan Zaidi (San Francisco Giants), and Kenny Williams (Chicago White Sox) have heightened concerns regarding diversity in MLB front offices.
In October 2023, the conservative nonprofit America First Legal, associated with Trump ally Stephen Miller, filed a federal civil rights complaint against MLB for its allegedly discriminatory practices, specifically mentioning the Diversity Pipeline Program. Manfred stated in February, “Our values on diversity remain unchanged, but another important value for us is compliance with the law.” He indicated a careful observation of evolving situations to maintain alignment with legal expectations.
