The MLB owners thought they put forth a fair compromise deal for the players union, giving them full prorated salaries, among other upticks. The union came back with a counter off for even more games requested, which would cost the owners an additional $300 million, and the owners are not happy.
New York Yankees fans are not happy either; they want to see their boys of summer on the field playing baseball. Instead, they continue to see the two sides in the negotiations bicker back and forth over money and other issues. As the negotiations drag on, a season is getting less likely as time is running out to have a viable baseball season.
One of the main sticking points in getting a season going is the March agreement that guaranteed players 50% of their salaries based on a season of 82 games. The owner’s contention is that although it is not in the contract, they made it clear that additional negotiations would be necessary if the coronavirus substantially changed the baseball season.
From the time that the contract was inked, things have indeed changed. We have learned that fans would not be allowed in the stands, cutting off the owner’s revenue from ticket and concession sales. Those two revenue streams account for a third of all owner dollars that the teams use to pay their players. The owners have continually asked the players to share in that lost revenue, something the players union has steadfastly refused to do.
In the hopes of getting an MLB season this year, the owners basically caved and offered full prorated salaries to players to play a 60 game season ending at the normal time and protecting TV revenues. The offer included several other perks for players as well, including allowing corporate advertising on uniforms and an expanded postseason with a cash pool for players.
In less than 24 hours, the union came back with basically the same plan but for 10 more games increasing their pay while costing what is reported to be an additional $300 million loss for the owners. The MLB owners are angry and responded to the player’s counterproposal within minutes of receiving it with a resounding no, saying it was “dead on arrival.”
Even though the sides seem to be closer than ever, this new development again puts the negotiations on hold. The owners have made it clear they will not accept more games and a later end to the season, which could be put in jeopardy by an increase in coronavirus cases. It could cancel the postseason as suggested by the nation’s leading coronavirus expert Dr. Tony Fauci.
So, there we stand or shall I say back at a standstill as the MLB season ticks away. If a season is to be had, maybe a further comprise by owners will be necessary. It makes sense to have a 66 game season that would be complementary to scheduling, allowing 12 games each vs. 4 division opponents, 3 games each vs. 4 interleague opponents, and 6 games (home and home) vs. interleague rivals. The exact details may not be known until spring training 2.0 is resumed if the sides can finally come together and make it happen.
At this point, we don’t know if were are closer to having a season or if a season is less likely. What we do know is that the clock is ticking more quickly as it has been. We also know that the lack of a baseball season will not soon be forgiven by fans that are turning away from baseball more and more in favor of other sports that have their act together.