The minor leaguers did change the landscape a bit last night, while MLB players were trying to put a shiny face on the new collective bargaining agreement.
Minor league players are full-time, year-round employees of both their teams and MLB, and that Major League Baseball did not comply with California wage requirements, according to a summary judgement by a U.S. District Judge. The players were awarded a lot of money.
There is a segment of Spero's ruling.
These are not students who have enrolled in a vocational school with the understanding that they would perform services, without compensation, as part of the practical training necessary to compete the training and obtain a license.
You can bet that MLB and MLB owners are going to be scrambling to put out fires wherever they can starting today. The case will go to trial in June. There could be more awarded, as MLB's argument that spring training didn't need to be paid is almost certainly going to get blown to smithereens.
It isn't anything to MLB or its owners, but it will matter to those in this class-action. You would expect more to come with their hands out.
Minor leaguers are not provided with adequate housing, nutrition, or pay for the off-season that would allow them to train in the same way other sports players do. This is the beginning of setting that right.
You can imagine the bed-wetting that will go on here, because MLB had to be dragged kicking and screaming to provide housing for minor leaguers.
All MLB front offices care about their prime prospects, who can lean on bigger signing bonuses along with the loose buttons they get paid while in the minor league. Hopefully this will stop it in time. It will probably result in MLB contracting the minor leaguers even more.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
