|
The schedule would run from July 19 through
Sept. 30. According to ESPN, the union's latest offer also calls
for $50 million in playoff bonuses, a 50/50 split of new
postseason television revenues in 2021, salary-advance
forgiveness, use of a universal designated hitter and a mutual
waiver of the right to file a grievance.
"We believe this offer represents the basis for an agreement on
resumption of play," MLBPA union chief Tony Clark said in a
statement.
The MLPA proposal comes in response to the 60-game framework
that MLB officials reportedly thought both sides had agreed to
earlier this week.
Commissioner Rob Manfred had sounded optimistic following
face-to-face talks Tuesday with Clark in Phoenix. The groundwork
for a deal, which would have made July 19 or July 20 Opening Day
following a three-week training camp, was set in Manfred's
opinion.
"At my request, Tony Clark and I met for several hours in
Phoenix," Manfred said Wednesday. "We left that meeting with a
jointly developed framework that we agreed could form the basis
of an agreement and subject to conversations with our respective
constituents."
The union disagreed with Manfred's assessment of the
negotiations, however, with many players saying that a 60-game
season was too short.
According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, several owners were
"incensed" by the terms in the 70-game proposal by the MLBPA,
which includes forgiving $170 million in upfront money players
received before May 24.
Manfred has the authority, if negotiations again break off, to
call for a 50-game schedule and traditional playoffs.
--Field Level Media
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
|
