Report: MLBPA to propose 89-game season
The Major League Baseball Players Association will make a new proposal to MLB suggesting an 89-game season with a full prorated share of salaries, expanded playoffs, and opt-out rights for all players, ESPN's Jeff Passan reports.
The proposed 89-game season would begin July 10 and end Oct. 11, a source told ESPN's Jesse Rogers, who adds that the proposal calls for expanded playoffs in both 2020 and 2021.
Players would also get a playoff pool of money determined by gate revenues, reports The Athletic's Evan Drellich. If the postseason is played without fans or with limited access, the pool would be $50 million.
The proposal also mentioned players would commit to providing "broadcast enhancements" during regular-season and postseason games, Rogers adds.
Additionally, the proposal calls for the union and league to create a $5-million joint fund to support minor-league players and social injustice, reports Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal.
MLB is expected to reject the proposal, according to Passan, who mentions the league remains adamant about the regular season being completed by Sept. 27.
The latest proposal comes after players were reportedly set to reject the league's offer of a 76-game season that would have begun around July 10 and guaranteed players $989 million in salary.
Commissioner Rob Manfred could mandate a shortened campaign of at least 50 games if the two sides don't strike a deal over the next week, sources told Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports.