MLB’s first offer to union includes initial look at details of hard salary cap
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Major League Baseball owners have proposed a salary cap of $245.3 million and a salary floor of $171.2 million starting in 2027, with a 50-50 split of revenues between owners and players.
- The proposal includes an escrow system where players may have to return or receive additional money based on the league’s revenue calculations.
- All local-media revenues would become central revenue, a significant change aimed at addressing payroll disparities and local TV blackout issues.
- MLB officials emphasize the goal of creating a more competitive and fair playing field, citing a $446 million spending gap between the highest and lowest payroll teams as unfair to fans.
- The MLB Players Association has not yet responded to the owners’ proposal.