Why owners, player negotiations stalling

Pitchers and catchers are billed to return to spring training camp in about three weeks, but it is still not clear if the MLB will start on time due to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. As it stands, the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths recorded is higher than what was recorded when the 2020 season ended last year fall, although a number of COVID-19 cases have started nose-diving a little as people start to get vaccinated. The new administration of President Joe Biden is working pretty hard to get more Americans Vaccinated in the next few months and the best online casinos in US have also shown their support in the media.

Owners of the league have proposed delaying the MLB season by four weeks, proposing a 154-match season schedule to MLB players, as per reports in the media. According to reports, the proposals include a spring training to start on the 22nd of next month with the regular league season fixed to commence on April 28. MLB Owners are considering expanding playoffs that could extend into November, with broadcast partners ready to reschedule by one week the World Series.

MLB cannot delay the season unilaterally without agreement from the Players Union unless Rob Manfred invokes the clause of national emergency. This move would possibly steer legal war, with uncertainty as to if the clause can actually be invoked since baseball already fulfilled a 60-game MBL season during the COVID-19 pandemic. MLB would rather have a round table talk with the Union, but reports indicate that the union will turn down the proposal.

What MLB Owners want?

While league owners may be worried about the safety of players during the new strains of the COVID-19 pandemic, the major motivation behind this is trying to delay the season to avoid playing league games without fans. Some locations are permitting limited numbers of supporters at sports venues, but the 49ers in the NFL were not even permitted to play in their home ground at the end of the campaign. Even if MBL supporters were permitted to come into the stadium, many are people not yet comfortable gathering in mass. By delaying the start of the league season, league owners get to buy further time for the pandemic to recede, mass gatherings restrictions lifted, and supporters feeling more comfortable attending games which online casino games created odds for to the fans.

Extending the post-season is aimed at making up for the huge loss of revenue in a year that will witness low turnout. Reports also have it that league owners are also proposing to expand to 14 playoff sides–16 teams participated last year. Owners had also increased their guarantee of what the MLB players would bank from this proposed arrangement from $50m to $80 million, although the union feels that if supporters return fully by the fall, they will earn close to that figure anyway.

What do players’ union want?

The Union wants what they believe is their entitlement - full salary. With the look of things, the proposal does not guarantee MLB players will get a full salary if Manfred cancels any match. Manfred didn’t cancel the MLB match last season, and league owners paid players full salary for the 60 matches played last season, despite the fact that some games were canceled.

The players union are still holding on to an agreement reached with the owners' last March that entitles them to full salary for a complete 162-match schedule.