With Major League Baseball’s current collective bargaining agreement expiring in December and the status of ongoing negotiations for a new one, an emerging topic that could be a part of CBA talks has been in regards to the length of the regular season schedule. It is a topic that has been steadily gaining more traction, as the players would like to reduce the number of games from 162 to 154.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is among those who put out the argument for the ramifications of a reduced regular season. These consequences are namely financial, with players and networks standing to lose money and attendance dropping in the face of what would likely be increased ticket prices to make up for the lost revenue.
“There are ways to produce more off days in the schedule. Some of those have very significant economic ramifications that — if in fact we’re going down those roads — those economic ramifications are going to have to be shared by all of the relevant parties,” said Manfred. “You want to work less, usually you get paid less. But we are prepared to discuss the schedule issues and make proposals that are responsive to the ones that we’ve received from the MLBPA.”
On the other side, players’ chances at a lighter schedule would have to be in the opportunities that come with it, namely that of an increased value of games and a better quality of performance and entertainment from players. With more rest in the season come players who are better able to withstand the grind of what will still be a long season regardless.
“I don’t agree that there would need to be a discussion about a loss of salary or a rollback of salaries,” commented [MLBPA executive director Tony] Clark. “Because if there is a lessening of the games . . . the value of every game goes up as well. I’m not talking about raising ticket prices. What I’m talking about is the idea that if I’m a fan coming to a ballpark, or I’m purchasing a season ticket, I know I’m going to see my guys as a result of x, y, z being done to make improvements to their overall health.”
With MLB clubs having just 21 off days in a gruelling 183-day regular season, a reduced regular season would certainly be in favor of players, who have to contend with rigorous travel schedules and the wear and tear that comes with so many games. By the same token, fewer games would have big impacts on player contracts, ticket sales as many would have to be renegotiated in light of shortened games, and it could have an impact on ticket prices, which could certainly rise in a reduced regular season. With the deadline for a new CBA only four months out, a resolution is sure to be found sooner rather than later, as a work stoppage for any length of time is the last thing MLB, the players or the fans would want.
