Dallas to host Baseball’s Winter Meetings; NFL owners to convene in Las Colinas DALLAS — This article was initially published by our partners at the Dallas Business Journal. You can view the original article here. Dallas is about to become a focal point for both professional baseball and football. The MLB’s Winter Meetings — the […]
Dallas to host Baseball’s Winter Meetings; NFL owners to convene in Las Colinas
DALLAS — This article was initially published by our partners at the Dallas Business Journal. You can view the original article here.
Dallas is about to become a focal point for both professional baseball and football.
The MLB’s Winter Meetings — the standout event of the offseason — are scheduled for Dec. 9-12 at the Hilton Anatole. This event gathers team and league leaders for a flurry of negotiations and decisions that will shape the upcoming 2025 season. Last year’s meetings occurred in Nashville.
The last time Dallas held the Winter Meetings was in 2011.
Discussions around potential rule modifications are expected to be heated, along with interest in the moves made by teams like the Rangers and the looming signing of star outfielder Juan Soto, the most sought-after free agent this offseason. Recently, MLB has introduced various rule changes aimed at enhancing game pace and audience engagement, further exemplified by the pitch clock, larger bases to promote stolen base attempts, and restrictions on defensive shifts.
Commissioner Rob Manfred has recently proposed a so-called “Golden At-Bat” rule. The contentious rule would permit each team a single chance per game to substitute in their best hitter for an at-bat, even if it’s not their turn. The specifics on how the rule would function vary, but the goal is to generate excitement by allowing top hitters to take swings at pivotal moments.
A variety of activities, including a job fair, seminars, and networking opportunities, are planned around the Winter Meetings, offering baseball enthusiasts and job seekers a glimpse into the business aspects of the sport.
The Baseball Industry Network, a networking organization, will host its yearly gathering at the Hilton Anatole, with representatives from numerous major and minor league entities expected to attend to evaluate potential candidates for various positions.
Sports Management Worldwide Inc., a firm based in Portland, Oregon that specializes in sports industry career education and counseling, will conduct its Baseball Career Conference featuring discussions on scouting, player development, and sports analytics, with panels involving MLB agents, team managers, executives, and front-office staff.
Dan Evans, former GM of the Los Angeles Dodgers; Jim Duquette, past GM of the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles; and sportswriter Jayson Stark from The Athletic are anticipated to take part in the Baseball Career Conference. Participants will also have the opportunity to tour the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field in Arlington.
Upcoming NFL league meeting
While baseball executives are signing free agents and arranging trades, NFL team owners will meet in Irving for a league assembly.
The NFL will conduct a “special league meeting” on Dec. 10-11 at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Las Colinas. Last year, the league’s December gathering was also held in DFW.
During the league meeting in August held in Minneapolis, NFL owners endorsed modifications to ownership regulations permitting private equity firms to purchase up to 10% stakes in NFL franchises. These stakes can only be sold to a pre-approved list of firms, which includes Dallas-based Arctos Partners LP.
Like the previous year, this gathering will feature the NFL’s Front Office Accelerator. This initiative offers aspiring front office staff from NFL franchises a platform to forge connections with club owners and personnel in anticipation of the hiring period. The last program included 42 participants nominated by NFL teams and vetted by a selection committee.
During the accelerator, candidates engage in a variety of personal and professional development sessions, including mock interviews conducted by former general managers and leadership workshops led by external experts. The previous program also included personal development workshops focusing on the candidates’ overall wellness and mental readiness for roles.
This accelerator is part of the NFL’s initiative to enhance the availability of diverse candidates across all levels within the league.
Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission, stated that these events underscore the region’s strength as a hub for sports business.
“Dallas and the North Texas area have established a solid reputation as hosts for numerous major sports events over the past decade, so having these leagues hold their meetings, conferences, and fresh business opportunities here in North Texas further validates our region’s esteemed reputation in sports business over the years and is something we are all very proud of,” Paul remarked.
