The Senate Judiciary Committee questioned Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred about the possible impact of removing the antitrust exemption for the minor leagues.
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, Illinois, and Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, Iowa, sent the letter on Monday. They requested a response by Manfred no later than July 26. The letter was also signed in the name of Senator Richard Blumenthal (Democrat) and Senator Mike Lee (Republican), both from Connecticut.
The letter stated that the answers would help the Senate Judiciary Committee analyze this century-old exclusion.
In June, Advocates for Minor Leaguers received a letter from the Committee recommending that Congress adopt legislation that would nullify the exemption for minor-leaguers.
“We look forward providing detailed information about baseball’s limited antitrust exemption to the committee and how it has provided franchise stability at major league levels, maximized the availability minor league baseball for players and quality employment opportunities aspiring major-leaguers,” the league stated in a statement.
Advocates of Minor Leaguers released a statement stating that the exemption has “dire implications for minor league players and fans.”
This letter represents the latest development in respect to minor league life. MLB paid $185 million to minor leaguers Friday to settle lawsuits involving alleged violations to minimum wage laws.
The Sherman Antitrust Law of 1890 was repealed by the Supreme Court in 1922. This allowed MLB to enjoy a monopoly in American baseball.
It would fundamentally alter the business of American baseball if MLB was to be outlawed from its antitrust exemption.
Each minor leaguer signed a uniform contract stating that they have the right to the rights of minor leaguers for up seven years and seven years respectively in major leagues. A minor leaguer may decide to stop playing the game before the seven year limit in the minors or majors. The team will own the rights to him and he can’t play the sport professionally unless he is released.