The Commissioner of Major League Baseball told minor leaguers to shut up and be grateful this week, amidst calls for a living wage for professional players who haven't yet been called up.
He told reporters that he doesn't agree with the idea that minor league players aren't paid a living wage
Minor leaguers now make between $400 and $700 a week, along with provided housing, thanks to a salary increase in 2011. They used to make between $290 and $502 a week without housing. Minor league players are only paid during the regular season, which means that they will usually make between 4,800 and 14,700 per year. The minimum salary for players in the league is set by the league.
They can be paid below the minimum wage if they're classified as seasonal workers. It can be difficult to work around a full-time in-season game schedule while also keeping other forms of employment.
Major League Baseball has an antitrust exemption that other sports leagues don't enjoy, but which they've had for a century. The exemption may apply to MLB's relationship with the minor leaguers.
In terms of what minor-league players are paid, I think we have made a lot of progress in the last few years. The signing bonuses that many of them have received, they have received housing, which is obviously another form of compensation, so I don't agree with the premise of the question. They aren't paid a living wage.
What do you know about a living wage? Your average guy is nowhere near making ends meet with a signing bonus of a couple grand or so. Last week, MLB settled a class-action lawsuit by minor league players who accused the league of violating minimum wage and overtime laws in California, Arizona, and Florida. Minor leaguers are now able to be paid during spring training without being required to.
The antitrust exemption doesn't apply to players in the majors because they are protected by the players' association. Minor leaguers don't have a union, so they are subject to the dictates of Congress and the commissioner.
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