A Steve and Roch video as we discuss the baseball talks

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  Steve Melewski

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  May 28, 2020 7:21 pm

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Over the last few days, some fans may be losing confidence that we will have a baseball season in 2020. The Major League Baseball Players Association rejected the latest ownership proposal with the sliding scale of salary reductions.
The sides seem dug in on their positions and there is not a lot of reason for positivity right now. But this USA Today article indicates to not worry and that they’ll get this done. There is too much to lose and no doubt that is true. But time is short.
Baseball…

Over the last few days, some fans may be losing confidence that we will have a baseball season in 2020. The Major League Baseball Players Association rejected the latest ownership proposal with the sliding scale of salary reductions.

The sides seem dug in on their positions and there is not a lot of reason for positivity right now. But this USA Today article indicates to not worry and that they’ll get this done. There is too much to lose and no doubt that is true. But time is short.

Baseball has been filled with labor issues over the years, and even thought it has been a while, many surely remember.

Having this money battle during a pandemic with millions out of work and hurting financially, is rather disconcerting to say the very least.

It occurs to me that baseball is the sport hardest hit. The NBA and NHL played about 80 or 85 percent of their seasons. Players got paid and owners generated ample revenue. Had MLB played 80 percent of its season with fans in the stands – that’s about 130 games – we would not be in this position. The NFL doesn’t start until September and has time to resolve issues to play many fewer games, with only 16.

MLB is the only sport where a pandemic hit right as it was about to start and the only one that may lose a significant number of its games.

The players see taking prorated salaries as a pay cut. Others might argue that getting paid for 82 games would be appropriate if they only schedule 82. The union will surely not see it that way.

Is there a middle ground to find here and are the sides willing to compromise to find it? That’s the key question. Perhaps the players take less if the postseason can’t be played, as that is a major revenue source. Perhaps deferred money will be at least a partial solution.

My colleague, Roch Kubatko, and I recorded this video yesterday to discuss the baseball situation. Take a look.