The Major League Baseball Players’ Association (MLBPA) has rejected the latest plan from team owners to start a COVID-19-reduced season and asked for them to produce a schedule.
Tony Clark, the union’s executive director, said in a statement on Saturday that it was time to halt negotiations and set a start date for an MLB campaign played in empty stadiums.
“It unfortunately appears that further dialogue with the league would be futile,” Clark said.
“It’s time to get back to work. Tell us when and where,” he added.
The MLB season was to have started in late March, but the league shut down games with two weeks remaining in the pre-season due to the pandemic.
The last MLB proposal to the union called for 72 games with 70 percent of prorated salaries.
A March 26 deal between the MLB and the union allows the league to set a schedule. The MLB has indicated it would impose a schedule of about 50 games and pay full prorated salaries to the players worth about US$1.25 billion.
Multiple reports said that games would be played at home stadiums with spectators not allowed.
Players have been steadfast in talks for a start plan that they be paid full prorated salaries while owners have sought to trim that percentage even as both sides sought to play a longer campaign.
“Our No. 1 focus is playing the fullest season possible, as soon as possible, as safely as possible,” Clark said.
“Players agreed to billions in monetary concessions as a means to that end,” he said.
“We made additional proposals to inject new revenues into the industry ... it has now become apparent that these efforts have fallen upon deaf ears,” he said.
ESPN reported that the union sent a letter to the league demanding to be informed of MLB’s plans no later than today.
“We are 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,” the MLB said in a statement.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely