AP source: No MLB economic plan in 1st session with players

NEW YORK (AP) — As Major League Baseball made an opening presentation to the players' union Tuesday on terms to start the coronavirus-delayed season, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker criticized major leaguers for not being willing to cut pay further.

MLB did not made an economic proposal during its opening presentation, a person familiar with the discussion told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no details were announced.

The meeting lasted between three and four hours. An agreement with the players’ association is needed to play ball.

Also Tuesday, Ariz. Doug Ducey said professional sports can be played in his state starting Saturday, but without spectators.

Baseball owners gave their go-ahead to their proposal on Monday, a plan that could lead to the coronavirus-delayed season starting around the Fourth of July weekend in ballparks without fans.

Players agreed March 26 to a deal in which they would be paid a prorated share of salaries based on the portion of the 162-game schedule that is played. As part of the deal, if no games are played they would receive service time for 2020 matching what they earned last year.

Teams will propose that players receive the percentage of their 2020 salaries based on a 50-50 split of revenues MLB receives during the regular-season and postseason, a person familiar with the plan told the AP on Monday, also speaking on condition of anonymity because the plan was not announced. The union views that concept as a salary cap, which it has said it will never agree to.

The average MLB salary is $4.4 million at full price if the season had started on time.

“I realize that the players have the right to haggle over their salaries, but we do live in a moment where the people of Illinois and the people of...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/AP-source-No-MLB-economic-plan-in-1st-session-15265968.php