Manfred was speaking before Wednesday’s MLB Draft broadcast, which came a day after the MLB Players Association proposed an 89-game regular season with 100% of prorated salaries. Earlier in the week, MLB had offered a 76-game regular season with 50% of prorated salaries and up to 25% additional based on the postseason. There hasn’t been a season with fewer than 80 games since 1879.
Following the players’ proposal, Manfred said a plan of 100% of prorated salary and 89 games is unrealistic as the negotiations have extended beyond a deadline for a potential July 4 start date. Part of MLB’s argument is to get a season and a postseason in before a possible second wave of coronavirus. Both MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to expand the postseason, which could help boost revenue – which, even without expansion, generates $787 million annually in broadcast revenue.
