Both Sides are Right

A ruling upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit by minor league players. Interestingly, both sides are right:

“Considering the case law and the Curt Flood Act, it is undeniably true that minor league baseball — particularly the employment of minor league baseball players and the requirement that they sign a uniform contract containing a reserve clause — falls squarely within baseball’s exemption from federal antitrust laws,” Chief Judge Sidney R. Thomas wrote in the opinion.

An MLB spokesman declined comment.

Four minor league players sued MLB in 2015, alleging that its hiring and employment policies violated antitrust laws by “restrain(ing) horizontal competition between and among” franchises and “artificially and illegally depressing” minor league salaries.

The players have a great argument, but one that is defeated by the MLB exemption. Once again, I will make my pitch for universal free agency. There would be no draft, no caps, players would sign with the highest bidder, or where they would most like to play. Maybe a rookie league player would be willing to play for $7500 a year for the chance to make millions in the future. As long it is the player’s decision, it would be fine.

from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2tfKlnn