SURPRISE, Ariz.
A seismic shift rocked the Major League Baseball Players Association on Tuesday morning when news broke that executive director Tony Clark had resigned following a reported internal investigation.
Clark had spearheaded the MLBPA since 2013. His role involved negotiating and advocating for the players through labor discussions. And perhaps the biggest contention happens to be the looming collective bargaining agreement battle this year.
The CBA will expire on Dec. 1.
MLB owners are set to push for a salary cap. The MLBPA strongly pushed back on that with Clark remaining vocal in meetings with teams and when speaking with the press.
However, things changed over the last few days.
An internal investigation, according to ESPN reporting, revealed Clark had an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law. There is also an open federal investigation into the MLBPA’s finances.
The MLBPA put out a statement Tuesday night. Now, the union will look for a new executive director to move forward.
On Wednesday, MLBPA representatives arrived at Kansas City Royals camp in Surprise, Arizona. There was an early meeting where players gained information about the recent proceedings.
“It was a good meeting,” said John Schreiber, who is the Royals’ player representative. “A lot of questions from guys and a lot of positive feedback. So feeling good about where we are right now. Obviously, it’s a little bit of a disappointment. A little bit of a challenge with what came out yesterday and all that stuff. But, you know, the unity and strength we have from this union from the players is what it’s about.”
MLBPA deputy executive director Bruce Meyer was in attendance. He addressed media members on a wide-range of topics after the meeting.
One of the biggest questions is whether he will become the new MLBPA executive director in succession of Clark. The decision will ultimately come down to a player vote that could happen quickly.
The players will consider a few options.
“I’m not going to comment on internal discussions about that,” Meyer said. “I think what we all want — and again, those of us, you know, senior staff at the union — is that we want the union to be in a good place. We want the union to remain strong. That’s all any of us care about. We all dedicated our careers at this union and other unions. … We trust in the players and the player leaders to do what they think is in the best interest of the union.”
The MLBPA wants to retain a unified front. Schreiber hinted at a possible decision — regarding the interim executive director — could happen as soon as Wednesday night. From the Royals perspective, he will chat with the players to get their thoughts.
“I think we are going on the right path and I think we will have a decision shortly,” Schreiber said.
Meyer noted that the next executive director will be decided by the MLBPA executive board. It includes 72 members (38 major-leaguers and 34 minor leaguers). There are subcommittees within that executive board.
The MLBPA expressed confidence that the abrupt change in leadership doesn’t erase the work done to support the players.
“I can’t emphasize this enough,” Meyer said. “I’m not going to say this is like a nothing and there is not going to be some disruptions. But at the end of the day, bargaining is the most important thing. It’s always been the most important thing. Our team has been preparing for that, again, for years and it remains in place. Players have been educated on the issues that are going to come up for years. And so, it’s not going to affect bargaining in any respect.”
The MLBPA and the league will have discussions throughout the season. The MLBPA is against a salary cap. It will likely be a sticking point as multiple owners are in favor of the capped system.
“We will evaluate and analyze anything that’s offered,” Meyer said. “We will report to our players and give them our recommendations. Our position and the historic position of this union for decades on salary cap is well known. It’s the ultimate restriction. It’s something that owners, you know, in all the sports have wanted more than anything. In baseball, you know in particular, there’s a reason for that, because it’s good for them and not good for players.”
The labor negotiations between the MLBPA and league owners will loom over the 2026 campaign as the clock ticks toward the CBA expiration date.
And Tuesday’s news only created more subplots to the upcoming negotiations.
“We will be ready, and I anticipate that (labor negotiations) will operate on a normal schedule starting sometime in the spring,” Meyer said.
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Jaylon Thompson covers the Royals for The Kansas City Star. He previously covered the 2021 World Series and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.