The owners need 23 votes to ratify an agreement. I can think of 8 cold weather teams whose attendance blows in April and May that could hold up a CBA.
Update: Baseball is Back (As lockout drags on, poll indicates MLB could be charting path to irrelevance)
- Thread starter Yappi
- Start date
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
Are you suggesting that these 8 owners do not recognize the importance of having their business open when their customers expect it to be open? And that they do not realize that a lot of these customers will turn their attention elsewhere (NCAA Tourney, PGA, NASCAR, NBA/NHL playoffs) and never come back?
Most people this wealthy are not short-sighted and do not measure success by the month.
Do you think the Pirates owner cares? Of course not. He makes his money via revenue sharing and national TV deals for the league. He has shown that he has no inclination to spend money.
The same can be said for ownership of Cleveland, Oakland, Miami, Tampa Bay, and Cincinnati. Even teams like Minnesota and Toronto could have good reason to hold up the season until June.
zeeman
Well-known member
I can’t think of a more uninspiring way to spend your hard earned money then going to a Reds game in April this year
Going to the Pirates...
At least the Reds have some legit major leaguers. The Pirates aren't even a good AAA team.
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
I have no knowledge of the language in the MLB TV contracts. I suspect you don't either. But since the TV networks are not run by dummies, I suspect there is language in the deal that protects the networks in the event of a work stoppage. No games = no TV revenue, is my guess.
I grew up in a house with a dad would watch every Reds game like he was actively managing every pitch. Before they were on TV every night, he’d have Marty and Joe on the radio. Both my grandpas listened every time they were on. I really enjoy listening to the Reds on the radio, not like the above but bc it reminds me of my childhood (when the Reds were at least competitive) and I like listening to sports on the radio. That being said I could careless if the MLB ever comes back. Us Reds fans are paying New York City prices for AA ball, the constant pitching substitutions to name a few.
Yes
Thavoice
Well-known member
Made one stride....to increase the MIN salary to 610,000 and 10k each yaer after during the agreement.
Each time new CBAs come around I get more disenfranchised. Billionaire arguing with millionaires and when they miss dates the only people who are hurt are the local businesses who depend on that income.
Each time new CBAs come around I get more disenfranchised. Billionaire arguing with millionaires and when they miss dates the only people who are hurt are the local businesses who depend on that income.
14Red
Well-known member
Just remember this...this is business. Owners of pro sports teams are not rich because they are bad businessmen or women.
The owner have the ultimate hammer, baseball players play baseball. There is little else these guys can do to make the kind of money they do as major league baseball players. Frankly I'm shocked the owners concede much at all, they really don't have to.
The owner have the ultimate hammer, baseball players play baseball. There is little else these guys can do to make the kind of money they do as major league baseball players. Frankly I'm shocked the owners concede much at all, they really don't have to.
Of course they cede.
No one is paying the culminative billions to watch you and your buddies play ball.
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
Wow. If someone actually had the hammer this would be over. I'm guessing your last negotiation was for your 1983 Chevette.
The TV money and ticket revenue flow in because the best players in the world are playing. Without the players, the billion dollar MLB franchises drop in value by approximately 99%. No one has the hammer. Unless you hit yourself in the head with one, which seems possible.
14Red
Well-known member
You really think so? I think marketing has alot to do with sports, more than you think. And who's to say who the best players in the world are? Suppose that the current MLB system collapses and you start over. Fernando Tatis Jr.'s contract is voided. Where's he going to go play where he plays with the best players in the world? The Mexican leagues? My guess is if it was that lucrative and popular, we'd see those games on TV and you'd have players in those leagues not in the majors.
Look, the owners like the current system, but every few years they have to "make aware" to the union who drives this bus. The union has nothing, they have no fall back. If baseball would ever decide to break the union, they could. Most of the owners are mult millionaires and have other ways they've made money. Baseball players are...baseball players.
14Red
Well-known member
I'm not talking about me. ? The difference between a major college baseball player and an all star in pro baseball isn't as much as you think.
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
LOL. That's why college baseball attendance and TV ratings are through the roof. There are maybe 2-3 kids every year that get drafted from college and go straight to the MLB. The difference is substantial.
My son was a decent NCAA D2 pitcher. Frequently faced D1 guys in the summer collegiate wood bat leagues and fared pretty well most starts. He would have gotten absolutely shelled in the MLB.
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
Sounds like yesterdays meetings did not go well, unfortunately.
Clearly neither side has the hammer in these negotiations, despite what a few uninformed people say.
Both sides think the other side will cave Monday Feb 28 - based on the March 1 deadline that pushes back Opening Day and shortens the season. But both sides are too dumb/greedy to compromise. Pending disaster for the business of MLB.
Clearly neither side has the hammer in these negotiations, despite what a few uninformed people say.
Both sides think the other side will cave Monday Feb 28 - based on the March 1 deadline that pushes back Opening Day and shortens the season. But both sides are too dumb/greedy to compromise. Pending disaster for the business of MLB.
Pushing back the start of the season until June hurts players more than owners.
Either the players cave tomorrow or they hold until owners are hurt... July or August likely but perhaps the entire season.
14Red
Well-known member
Owners are successful multi-million/ billionaires. They could sit out the season and it would not matter. The players have no leverage. I feel for the guys in their first few years and the minor leaguers who are aspiring to get to the bigs. This is their earning power. The 8-10+ year vets already have their money or have made millions already. I wonder if the young guys are getting a vote in this?
14Red
Well-known member
I'll say this, I don't know if anything happens today, but even though the owners listed today as a deadline, I'm sure if they come up with something this week, they can figure out the scheduling. If you did have to cut 25-30 games off the schedule, I'd consider cutting the inter league games. The division and league games need to take precedence.
brianwr112
Well-known member
Pretty sure the reason for cutting games at the beginning of the year instead of just random games throughout is the Strike delaying the start. I could be wrong though since you seem to have this all figured out
It's not a strike.
It's a lock out.
The league can start the season at any time and continue to negotiate while playing under the old CBA.
Ironically the old CBA is what they want.
Of course they get a vote.
The MLBPA has put forth many proposals to benefit the younger players. MLB has rejected most of them. They like having cheap labor.
14Red
Well-known member
24 year old first time major leaguer making $550,000 is defined as "cheap" labor...funny.
It is in their world.
wolves82
Highly Respected Expert
How many times must I explain to you?
- The owners have an asset (their franchise) valued over a billion dollars, in some cases multiple billions
- No games this year greatly devalues their asset
- No owners are willing to have their asset lose a ton of value
They want the season as badly as the players. They just want it on their terms. The owners gave more ground yesterday than in the last 3 months. Owners seem more eager to get this season started on time. Finally.
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