• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 10, 2025

MLB, MLBPA Remain Far Apart As Deadline Looms

  • MLB and the MLBPA remain far apart on negotiations.
  • The competitive balance tax remains a key sticking point.
MLB-Lockout-Tony-Clark
Greg Lovett-USA TODAY NETWORK/Design: Alex Brooks

Major League Baseball upped the ante in its collective bargaining negotiations with its players union, imposing a Feb. 28 deadline to reach an agreement before regular-season games are canceled. 

Spring training games have already been postponed. The season is scheduled to start on March 31

  • The league stated that players would not be paid for lost games.
  • The MLBPA has reportedly floated the idea of blocking proposals for expanded playoffs in retaliation, potentially denying the league a $100 million windfall.
  • Owners have proposed a minimum salary of $640,000, rising to $680,000 by 2026. Players have asked for $775,000, reaching $895,000 by 2026.

There is also a $100 million gap between each side’s proposed bonus pool for pre-arbitration players, with MLB allotting $15 million and the players proposing $115 million.

Minimal progress was reportedly made in negotiations on Thursday.

Taxing Imbalance

There has been little movement on the core issue of the competitive balance tax, which penalizes teams for payrolls above a certain threshold. 

The tax threshold, which was $210 million in 2021, has acted as a de facto salary cap: In 2021, only the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres crossed the $210 million line, while five teams came within $3.4 million.

Players have asked for the tax threshold to rise to $245 million immediately and grow to $273 million over the next few years. Owners have sought to bump it to $214 million this year and $222 million over time, with more stringent penalties for crossing it.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Bruce Meyer and Tony Clark of the MLBPA

MLB, Players’ Union Spar Over Salary Cap As Labor Fight Looms

The MLB Players Association’s No. 2 executive outlines what he sees owners doing.
Jonathan Mariner

Former MLB CFO Jumps to PE, Says Teams Are Undervalued

Mariner worked in Major League Baseball for 24 years.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
Jul 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at PNC Park.

MLB ASG Missing Many Highly Paid Stars, Clearing Path for Youth

Many of MLB’s top earners are not part of the Midsummer Classic.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.
March 4, 2025

Eagles Make Saquon Barkley NFL’s Highest-Paid Running Back Ever

Barkley is coming off a historic 2024 season with the Eagles.