As Major League Baseball remains at a standstill due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, players, coaches, executives and team employees, among others, have been asked to make some sacrifices relating to their salaries.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and other senior staff members recently committed to taking a significant pay cut for the 2020 season.
MLB players will similarly see a reduction this year, as they agreed to give up 1/162 of their base salary for each regular season that is lost. In return, they received a lump sum salary advance for April and May.
The prospect of additional pay cuts may also emerge, especially if games are held in fan-less environments. This possibility has understandably frustrated players, via Ronald Blum of The Associated Press:
Major League Baseball players are upset over the prospect teams may seek additional pay cuts if games are played in empty ballparks due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“Players recently reached an agreement with Major League Baseball that outlines economic terms for resumption of play, which included significant salary adjustments and a number of other compromises. That negotiation is over,” union head Tony Clark said in a statement. We’re now focused on discussing ways to get back on the field under conditions that prioritize the health and well-being of players and their families, coaches, umpires, team staff and fans.”
MLB is reportedly discussing a multitude of scenarios that would allow the regular season to potentially begin in May. However, all of the proposals made public thus far involves teams playing their games in a centralized location such as Arizona, Florida or Texas.
Under these restrictions, fans would not be allowed to attend games. This would be problematic, as ticket sales are a main source of revenue for the league.
While it would be nothing short of odd to watch an MLB game without fans in the ballpark, such may be the only realistic path for play to resume.
Federal officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, support the proposed Arizona plan, which would call for all 30 teams playing their games at Chase Field and upwards of 10 Spring Training facilities.
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