• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 25, 2025

Manfred, MLB Owners Pitch Directly to Players Ahead of CBA Expiration

The last round of labor talks between MLB owners and players was bruising, and the next round is expected to be tough, too. The incoming approach, however, is notably different. 

Rob Manfred, Commissioner of the MLB, speaks to the media during Cactus League media day at the Arizona Biltmore on Feb. 18, 2025, in Phoenix.
Arizona Republic

Even though formal bargaining between MLB and the MLB Players Association is still nearly a year away, the league already has an emerging plan for the talks: Appeal directly to individual players to make the case for large-scale change. 

Speaking at a recent investor day for the publicly traded Braves, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the owners plan to work as much as possible with rank-and-file players as they look to reshape baseball’s economic system.

“The strategy is to get directly to the players,” Manfred said. “I don’t think the leadership of this union is anxious to lead the way to change. So we need to energize the workforce in order to get them familiar with or supportive of the idea that maybe changing the system could be good for everybody.”

That messaging has already begun as Manfred has made his annual tours to meet with players in every market. 

The current, five-year labor deal between the owners and players expires in December 2026, with talks likely to begin early next year. Manfred said earlier this month that no decisions have been made among clubs about whether they’ll push for a salary cap, something the MLBPA has resisted for decades. MLB owners, however, have broad notions in mind, including restructured revenue-sharing, new measures around “cost certainty, predictability, and competitive balance” in player compensation, and having a more defined period around free agency. 

Other sports, they have free agency, it’s about a month. There’s a lot of bidders,” Manfred said. “It’s a great marketing opportunity for the sport. Players have their choice of where to go. All positive. Our free agency is like the Bataan Death March. It starts the day after the World Series, and in February, really, really, good players are still wandering around the landscape.”

Lessons From the Past

Part of Manfred’s thinking around having a more direct appeal in the next labor round stems from player sentiment in the last one. Amid a bitter, 99-day lockout, the union’s executive subcommittee voted against the labor deal that MLB proposed and ultimately was ratified. That approval, a 26–12 vote that ended the lockout, happened after nearly every other MLBPA player representative disagreed with the executive subcommittee and supported the agreement. 

Another lockout is widely anticipated around the sport. The labor situation, meanwhile, is developing as Manfred and MLB intend to significantly retool baseball’s media presence in 2028, when the league’s current national deals expire, and repackage those rights with local ones. 

“We are pursuing a [media] strategy not dissimilar to what the NBA did,” Manfred said, referring to that league’s $77 billion set of new rights deals with Amazon, ESPN, and NBCUniversal that begin this fall. 

The MLBPA attacked Manfred’s comments. 

“At a time of resurgent attendance, record revenues, and increasing franchise values, MLB should be focused on further promoting our sport,” MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said in a statement to The Athletic. “Instead, their stated plan is once again to try to divide players from each other and their union in service of a system that would add to the owners’ profits and franchise values, while prohibiting clubs from fully competing to put the best product on the field for the fans and limited player compensation, guarantees, and flexibility.” 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Kim Ng

Kim Ng Says MLB Is Heavily Involved in AUSL

The former Marlins GM is commissioner of the new softball league.
Sep 18, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at Highmark Stadium.
exclusive

Kalshi, Polymarket Sought to Buy Prediction-Market Platform Novig

Novig is available in close to 40 states.

MLB’s Hottest MVP Duel Won’t Pad Judge, Raleigh Contracts

Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh each provide further drama.
Elizabeth Warren
exclusive

Sens. Warren, Sanders Press ESPN, NFL, MLB Over Media Deal Concerns

Four prominent members of Congress are worried about ESPN’s deepening ties to leagues.

Featured Today

FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe hits out of the rough on the first hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.

Ryder Cup in New York: Record-Setting Hopes and Fan Concerns

Organizers anticipate record attendance and revenue, but worry remains about fan behavior.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 22: Cameron Young of Team USA hits his tee shot on the third hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup Practice Round at Bethpage State Park on Monday, September 22, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 23, 2025

U.S. Ryder Cup Players Will Be Paid. Not Everyone Is Pleased

Americans are receiving a $200,000 stipend, and not everyone is pleased.
Cheryl Reeve
September 21, 2025

How Cheryl Reeve Turned the Lynx Into the WNBA Gold Standard

Reeve has Minnesota six wins away from an unprecedented fifth WNBA title.
Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) during a college football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 13, 2025.
September 20, 2025

How Schools Are Skirting the New Salary Cap in College Sports

In the House settlement era, schools race to secure deals for players.
Sep 25, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; Ryder Cup flags fly over the first hole as Team Europe walks down the fairway during a practice round of the Ryder Cup golf tournament at Bethpage Black.

Ryder Cup Tees Off With Money, Pride, and Trump in Focus

Off-course issues are dominating the discourse at Bethpage.
September 25, 2025

Ryder Cup Tickets Reselling Above Controversial $750 Face Value

Friday and Saturday tickets cost nearly $1,000 on Thursday afternoon.
Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
September 25, 2025

Maverick Carter Europe League Pushes on As Silver Says ‘Competition Is Good’

The NBA commissioner said he has “stayed away” from the rumored new league.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
September 24, 2025

Highlight of Ryder Cup Luxury Travel? Helicopters, Not Private Jets

Fans are paying $1,500 for trips directly into Bethpage.
September 24, 2025

Ryder Cup Fans Pay High Prices, but Concessions Are Free

The $750 general-admission tickets include unlimited food and nonalcoholic drinks.
September 24, 2025

2030 World Cup Could Expand to 64 Teams Under New Proposal

South American leaders push for an expanded tournament format.
September 24, 2025

Ryder Cup’s ‘Enhanced Security’ for Trump Visit Could Restrict Fans

Additional restrictions are being put in place for the president.