The "absurdly low salaries" of MiLBers has prompted a group of players to "explore whether a union might be feasible," according to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. TIMES. In Triple-A, the "minimum salary is $10,750 per year." At the highest level of minor league hockey, where players are "represented by a union, the minimum salary is $47,500." Professional Hockey Players Association Exec Dir Larry Landon said that he has "taken numerous calls from minor league baseball players interested in learning whether the PHPA model could work in baseball." Shaikin noted there is "no shortage of sympathy among the major league players." But it is "not as simple as welcoming minor leaguers into the major league union." MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark said that the union is "supportive of the minor leaguers, and of a better wage for them." He said that the exec board "never has formally considered a proposal to represent the minor leaguers." Shaikin noted the MLBPA "derives its negotiating leverage from the unique abilities of its members, and the threat of a strike." MLBers are "not going to strike to protect rookie league players, almost all of whom will never see the majors and could easily be replaced by players from independent leagues." Clark said that it is better for the minor leaguers to "align with a much larger union" (L.A. TIMES, 9/16).
