Major League Baseball’s (MLB) latest proposal offered players 70 percent of their prorated pay—or about 40 percent of players’ standard pay—to play about 71 games this season, according to Sportsnaut. A normal season of baseball consists of 162 games.
In response, the MLBPA rejected the deal and ended negotiations. MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark said in a statement that the players are not happy with the proposed cuts in pay, particularly in the light of a recent deal between MLB and Turner Sports. That deal is estimated to net MLB $1 billion in exchange for coverage of the playoffs.
“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 consistent that such concessions are unwarranted, would be fundamentally unfair to players, and that our sport deserves the fullest 2020 season possible,” Clark wrote. “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.”
MLB first delayed the start of the 2020 season by at least two weeks on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Four days later, the league announced the beginning of season would be on hold indefinitely.
Prior to the latest deal, MLB offered players 23.4 percent of their salaries to play a 75-game season, with an additional opportunity to earn 35.2 percent of their salaries if the playoffs are played in their entirety, according to NBC Sports. The MLBPA counter-proposed receiving 55 percent of their pay for 55 percent of a season, or about 89 games. In addition, there would be two years of expanded playoffs.
The MLB has threatened to implement a shortened 50-game season if an agreement cannot be reached, according to USA Today. If this happens, players will only receive 33 percent of their salaries—however, if this happens, some stars may refuse to play, forfeiting their salaries.
The MLBPA has asked for a response from the league by the end of business on Monday, according to a letter obtained by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
“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. It is unfair to leave players and the fans hanging at this point,” the letter read in part.
Newsweek reached out to the MLB for comment. This story will be updated with any response.
