An arbitrator denied Rimas Sports' request for a temporary restraining order that would have allowed its main baseball agent, William Arroyo, to “continue representing clients while navigating an appeal of his decertification,” according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com. On Friday arbitrator Michael Gottesman made the decision and yesterday MLBPA took the “procedural step of filing a motion with the Southern District of New York asking that the court uphold his decision.” Arroyo originally had his agent certification revoked on April 10 in the wake of an MLBPA investigation about “improper benefits provided to players.” Sources said that “within one week of Rimas' official launch in mid-April 2023,” the MLBPA “received evidence the company had offered players cash and gifts to switch agencies.” Also part of the ruling, Rimas Sports Execs Jonathan Miranda and Noah Assad were also “denied their applications for certification.” Sources also said that recently joined agent Michael Velazquez “must leave the agency by May 10 or face potential decertification.” Sources said that MLBPA’s penalty against Rimas consists of a $400,000 fine and “five-year suspension for Arroyo.” Sources also said that the notice of discipline prevents Miranda and Assad from “applying for agent certification for five years.” Gonzalez noted if upheld, the ruling would “essentially end Rimas Sports' short-lived quest to represent baseball players in contract negotiations with major league teams” (ESPN.com, 4/22).
