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MLB's Rob Manfred Could Unilaterally Impose Shortened Season

It is increasingly likely that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred will unilaterally mandate a truncated regular season in the vicinity of 50 games after the MLBPA this weekend rejected MLB’s latest counter-proposal and effectively halted negotiations. Manfred has the power to do so based on the March 26 agreement between the two sides if MLB pays players full prorated salaries. While once viewed as a last resort, the two sides remain at an impasse over a return-to-play economic structure, and a source said MLB has been building consensus among owners about mandating a shortened season. USA TODAY cites a source as saying that MLB owners have a scheduled conference call today to decide on their next course of action.

Should such a move take place, the union is expected to oppose an expanded postseason, which would include as many as 16 teams (up from 10) and generate nearly $1B in television revenue for the league. Not playing an expanded postseason could deny the league more than $200M in revenue. If a shortened season is imposed, the union also is likely to file a grievance seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in lost wages for players, claiming that the league did not make a "good faith effort" to work to play as many games as possible.

The union has all but dared MLB to mandate a 50-game season. MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark issued a statement Saturday night that said in part, "It's time to get back to work. Tell us when and where." MLBPA lead negotiator Bruce Meyer in a four-page letter to MLB Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem, which was obtained by THE DAILY, said, "Given your continued insistence on hundreds of millions of dollars of additional pay reductions, we assume these negotiations are at an end. 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, and further delay risks compromising health and safety. We demand that you inform us of your plans by close of business on Monday, June 15."

MLB issued a statement that said it is "disappointed that the MLBPA has chosen not to negotiate in good faith over resumption of play after MLB has made three successive proposals that would provide players, clubs and our fans with an amicable resolution to a very difficult situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic."

The union rejected MLB's latest proposal, which entailed 72 regular-season games and players receiving 70% prorated salaries if the postseason is canceled and 80% if it is completed. The union has been adamant that players receive full prorated salaries and not take a second pay cut. The owners have been adamant that the regular season concludes Sept. 27 and the postseason concludes in October to minimize the risk of a second wave of the virus shutting down a lucrative playoffs.

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