MLBPA Wants Financial Documents From Owners

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball players want to look at the owners’ books.

A person familiar with the request told The Associated Press that lawyers for the baseball players’ union asked MLB to submit a slew of financial documents that detail the industry’s finances.

Baseball owners on Monday approved a proposal that could lead to the coronavirus-delayed season starting around the Fourth of July with a regular-season schedule of about 82 games. Owners also gave the go-ahead to propose basing players’ salaries on a 50-50 revenue split, which the union says is a salary cap and a framework that players will never accept.

The type of financial disclosure the union asked for is more common during overall collective bargaining talks.

Commissioner Rob Manfred is confident of reaching a deal with players. He also told CNN on Thursday that he’s hopeful the season can begin, saying they are making plans to play in empty ballparks.