MLB players likely would not be very receptive to a revenue-sharing planGETTY IMAGES
Some MLB officials and club execs believe that the best plan for baseball this season "would include a totally revised economic system -- a revenue-sharing arrangement between the players and teams, if only for one year," according to Evan Drellich of THE ATHLETIC. Their argument is that "no one has any idea how many tickets will be sold to 2020 games, if any," so to "promise players a certain salary ahead of time could leave either party overly exposed to an extreme outcome." Drellich noted MLB "has not broached the idea of revenue sharing with the players’ union, and it may not," as the MLBPA "would likely receive such a plan poorly." Historically, the union has "abhorred revenue-sharing arrangements between players and teams, because in every other sport a promise of a salary floor for players comes with a maximum, too -- a salary cap." Most pertinent right now might be the union's position that player compensation for '20 "need not be reduced further" (THEATHLETIC.com, 5/7).
WHAT IS PROPER PAY? In Pittsburgh, Jason Mackey agrees the "most important" topic "might be the compensation of MLB players." Pirates P Joe Musgrove "does not think players should have to take less." He said, "We want to be paid fairly. We're not asking for a full season's pay. We just want a fair amount for the games that we're going to play, even if that's prorated." Musgrove added, "I understand the team isn’t making money on tickets, concessions or any of that stuff. But if you think about seasons where they do really well, make a ton of money and sell out every game, we don’t get a raise just because they made a lot of money and did really well" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 5/8).
THE ESSENTIAL QUESTION: In Cincinnati, Paul Daugherty writes, "I love that Baseball is battling to re-open. ... I hope its puncher's chance succeeds. I don't think it will." Baseball is "answering everything but the essential question: What happens when someone gets sick?" Fans "haven’t heard much about that." But if one player/coach/manager/trainer/clubbie gets sick, "chances are good others will, too," and MLB "doesn't get a 2nd chance with this re-opening" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 5/8).
