Major League Baseball has made one last proposal to its owners and players to resume baseball after the global coronavirus pandemic and a back and forth about salaries. The latest proposal is set to expire by the end of the day Sunday, and Commissioner Rob Manfred will likely order a shorter season with no agreement if not accepted.
The latest includes a 72 game schedule beginning July 14 and players getting up to 80% of their pro-rated salaries. The players would earn 70% for the regular season and the rest for the completion of the playoffs according to MLB. The players last offer came on Tuesday for an 89 game schedule and 100% of the pro-rated pay. Players have also said that they don’t intend to move off their stance to get the full proration. Whatever does happen the players will engage in roughly a three week spring training to get ready for the new season.
Both sides have agreed to expand the playoffs from 10 teams to 16 teams in 2020 and 2021, but an agreement first would have to happen. MLB is set to receive $787 million from Fox, Turner Sports, and ESPN in its current playoff format, but a new format with expanded playoffs will give more games to sell. Both sides have also said they would agree to help fund minor league players who likely won’t have a season, and also to address social justice initiatives. We should know either way where this is headed by the end of the day on Sunday.
