Can money buy sympathy? That's the sort of question that probably plagues professional sports commissioners in the big four North American leagues. Even setting apart the annual tradition of being booed at their respective sports' drafts,

Friday, however, Manfred spoke at Wrigley Field to announce that the Cubs would host the 2027 All-Star Game, and he finally addressed his dispute with Harper, claiming: “It was an individual picking a particular way to express himself, and I don’t think you need to make more out of that than that,” per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred downplayed a reported tense meeting with the Philadelphia Phillies and specifically superstar Bryce Harper while speaking with reporters on Friday in Chicago, where he was in town to announce that the 2027 MLB All-Star Game will take place in Wrigley Field.