MLBPA appears to end talks with league: Further dialogue is 'futile'
Tensions between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association reached a new high Saturday as union executive director Tony Clark issued an impassioned statement directed at the league.
Clark appeared to indicate the union is done trying to negotiate a deal to stage a 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic:
Players want to play. It's who we are and what we do.
Since March, the association has made it clear that our No. 1 focus is playing the fullest season possible, as soon as possible, as safely as possible. Players agreed to billions in monetary concessions as a means to that end, and in the face of repeated media leaks and misdirection, we made additional proposals to inject new revenues into the industry - proposals that would benefit the owners, players, broadcast partners, and fans alike.
It's now become apparent that these efforts have fallen upon deaf ears. In recent days, owners have decried the supposed unprofitability of owning a baseball team and the commissioner has repeatedly threatened to schedule a dramatically shortened season unless players agree to hundreds of millions in further concessions. Our response has been constant that such concessions are unwarranted, would be fundamentally unfair to players, and that our sport deserves the fullest 2020 season possible. These remain our positions today, particularly in light of new reports regarding MLB's national television rights - information we requested from the league weeks ago but were never provided.
As a result, it unfortunately appears that further dialogue with the league would be futile. It's time to get back to work. Tell us when and where.
The statement follows a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan that the union has rejected the league's latest proposal - a 72-game season with 80% prorated salaries for players. The league sent the MLBPA a scathing five-page letter along with its most recent pitch, calling the union's bargaining tactics into question.
"It's unfortunate that it has unfolded this way," Andrew Miller, a member of the MLBPA's executive subcommittee said, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich. "Players have always desired the most games possible. We have tried to work with them in every reasonable way. I sincerely believe that."
MLB issued its own statement in response to the union on Saturday, which said the league is "disappointed that the MLBPA has chosen not to negotiate in good faith over (the) resumption of play" and that it will "determine the best course to bring baseball back to our fans" after consulting with team owners.
It appears the fate of the 2020 season is now in the hands of commissioner Rob Manfred, who can unilaterally impose a shortened campaign of any length as long as a pro rata agreement from March is honored.
"If it is your intention to unilaterally impose a season, we again request that you inform us and our members of how many games you intend to play and when and where players should report," read a letter from the MLBPA to the league obtained by Passan. "It is unfair to leave players and the fans hanging at this point."
It added: "We demand that you inform us of your plans by close of business on Monday, June 15."
Along with the financial hurdles complicating baseball's return, other issues including on-field rules, player transactions, and rosters must be addressed, reports Rosenthal.
Clark's statement comes after recent comments made by St. Louis Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt Jr., as well as reports of a new billion-dollar broadcasting deal the league reached with Turner Sports on Saturday. DeWitt said Tuesday the baseball industry "isn't very profitable."