- **PALM BEACH, Fla.** — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has revealed that he’s receiving emails from fans expressing concerns about baseball’s lack of a salary cap, particularly in light of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ massive offseason spending spree. This has drawn increased attention as the sport approaches the expiration of its collective bargaining agreement in December 2027.
“This is an issue we need to stay vigilant about,” Manfred said after an owners’ meeting. “We must pay attention to it and explore whether there are steps we can take to address these concerns and ensure the game remains competitive and healthy moving forward.”
The Dodgers, baseball’s top spenders in 2024, won the World Series with a $353 million luxury tax payroll, incurring a $103 million tax. In contrast, the Oakland Athletics had the lowest payroll at just under $84 million.
“The Dodgers are a well-run, successful organization,” Manfred acknowledged. “Everything they’ve done is within our rules, and they’re committed to delivering the best product for their fans. Those are positives. However, I recognize that fans in other markets are worried about their teams’ ability to compete. When fans are concerned, we need to take that seriously. But I don’t believe the Dodgers are solely to blame.”
Even the New York Yankees, long one of baseball’s biggest spenders, have expressed concerns about the financial landscape of the game. Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner noted the difficulty of matching the Dodgers’ spending power. “It’s challenging for most owners to do what they’re doing. We’ll see if it pays off,” Steinbrenner said in a YES Network interview. “They’ll need a relatively injury-free season for it to work. It’s a long season, and once you reach the postseason, anything can happen.”
Players have historically opposed a salary cap, famously resisting it during a 7 1/2-month strike in 1994-95 that led to the cancellation of the World Series.
“I wish baseball had a salary cap like other sports, but we don’t have that now,” said new Baltimore Orioles owner David Rubenstein at the World Economic Forum. “I suspect we might eventually move closer to the models used by the NFL and NBA, but there’s no guarantee.”
Negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement are expected to begin in spring 2026. U.S. sports leagues typically prefer offseason lockouts to avoid in-season strikes.
“We’re still two years away from serious bargaining,” Manfred said. “The longer we wait, the more clarity we’ll have on issues like local media economics, which will help us make better decisions.”
**Manfred on Umpire’s Firing and Sports Betting**
Manfred also addressed the firing of umpire Pat Hoberg, who was dismissed for sharing his legal sports betting accounts with a friend who wagered on baseball games and for deleting electronic messages relevant to MLB’s investigation. While there was no evidence Hoberg bet on baseball or manipulated games, MLB determined his actions warranted termination.
“We have much greater ability to monitor and address issues like this now that sports betting is legal,” Manfred said. “It’s always a threat, but we have more tools and information to detect and prevent problems.”
Manfred echoed NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s stance, advocating for a unified federal approach to sports betting rather than the current state-by-state model. “A single set of rules would be more effective than the patchwork system we have now,” he said.
**Rays’ Stadium Situation**
The Tampa Bay Rays are playing this season at the Yankees’ spring training facility, Steinbrenner Field, after Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field. Efforts to secure a new ballpark deal have stalled, with Rays owner Stuart Sternberg and local officials unable to reach an agreement.
“I’m spending a lot of time with Stu,” Manfred said. “He’s in a very difficult situation, and we’re working to navigate it.” The Rays have until March 31 to commit to a stadium deal with St. Petersburg, but concerns over delays and costs remain unresolved.
**MLB’s Commitment to Diversity**
Manfred also addressed MLB’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs amid shifting federal policies. “Our values, particularly around diversity, remain unchanged,” he said. “But we also strive to comply with the law. As the legal landscape evolves, we’ll ensure our programs align with both our values and legal requirements.”
**Executive Council Changes**
The MLB executive council saw changes, with New York Mets chairman Steve Cohen and Oakland Athletics managing partner John Fisher joining. They replace Philadelphia’s John Middleton and Kansas City’s John Sherman. The council now includes Arizona’s Ken Kendrick, Seattle’s John Stanton, San Francisco’s Greg Johnson, Cleveland’s Paul Dolan, Miami’s Bruce Sherman, and Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno.
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