MLB and the MLBPA on Friday announced that they have reached agreement on a Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy to cover all MLB players. As part of the agreement, the commissioner’s office will implement additional policies to cover Minor League players, as well as everyone employed by a Major or Minor League club, and the commissioner’s office. The MLBPA will also implement an all-encompassing domestic abuse policy for its staff (MLB/MLBPA). The AP reported MLB under the new policy can "suspend players with pay when legal charges are pending in 'exceptional cases.'" The 13-page deal, which "followed a series of high-profile domestic violence cases involving NFL players," allows MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to "issue discipline for 'just cause,' the same standard used under the sport's collective bargaining agreement." Discipline is "not dependent on a criminal conviction." Manfred can place a player "accused of domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse on paid 'administrative leave' for up to seven days before a disciplinary decision, which can be appealed to the sport's arbitration panel, chaired by an independent arbitrator." He also "may defer a discipline decision until the resolution of criminal charges" (AP, 8/21). In N.Y., Mark Feinsand reported there is "no minimum or maximum penalty prescribed under the policy, leaving it up to Manfred to issue a penalty he believes is suitable in light of the severity of the conduct." Players can "challenge the discipline before a three-person arbitration panel made up of one representative of each party along with an agreed-upon impartial arbitrator" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/22). YAHOO SPORTS' Mike Oz noted teams "will have no say unless the commissioner defers to them" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/22).
LEARNING FROM THE NFL: USA TODAY's Gabe Lacques noted the policy comes "nearly one year after then-Commissioner Bud Selig vowed to create a comprehensive policy in the wake of the NFL's fumbling of the Ray Rice episode." MLB and the union also "established a 24-hour, confidential help line for players and their families, with bilingual experts available" (USATODAY.com, 8/21).
