There have been rumors for months that MLB could be headed to a lockout next year. Well, a pair of notable insiders claimed this week that the scenario is guaranteed.
MLB is doing very good business currently. With teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and New York Yankees contending for a World Series title, the league is very healthy financially. Earning a record $12.1 billion in revenue last year. However, there is trouble brewing on the horizon.
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With the wealthiest teams going to absurd lengths to improve their rosters, and the poorest doing next to nothing to upgrade their own, there are many teams in the middle unhappy with the state of the league. It is why there have been rumors that there will be a lockout once the current collective bargaining agreement ends next December.
It was a topic of conversation on former MLB executive David Samson’s “Nothing Personal” podcast this week. As he asked The Athletic’s MLB insider Ken Rosenthal if he also believes the league is headed toward CBA armageddon next year.
“I am guaranteeing a lockout at the end of ’26. But are you as certain as I am about that?” Samson asked Rosenthal.
“Pretty much yes. And I’m certain about it because the commissioner has already said in an article that a lockout can be a very useful thing,” Rosenthal said. “The owners’ thirst for a salary cap has never been greater. There is a percentage of owners who are willing to shut down the sport to get what they want.”
Samson added that all it takes is eight very unhappy owners to force a lockout. And he believes that it won’t be hard to find them when the time comes. However, while the wealthiest teams in the league won’t be in favor of a salary cap, Rosenthal believes they could align with the lowest spenders, who don’t want a salary floor.
MLB players are some of the best-paid in professional sports. However, the Dodgers’ use of deferrals and the Mets forking over $765 million to Juan Soto have the league hurdling to insane contract numbers. Furthermore, teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Athletics taking revenue sharing money without investing in their clubs is just as big a problem.
The league and its players will have some huge issues to figure out when CBA negotiations begin next year.
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