MLB Cancels Opening Day After Sides Fail to End Lockout
SnopesOct 26, 2021
The Facts
After a 99-day owner-imposed lockout, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) reached a new collective bargaining agreement on Thurs.
The MLBPA made significant gains. Minimum players' salaries will begin at $700,000 in 2022, a 23% increase from last year, and rise to $780,000 for the final year in 2026.
The Spin
Narrative A
While the lockout may be over, there are still hurdles to jump. International players may face visa issues, new COVID protocols will be needed, and there's a risk of injury due to the short spring training. Communication between players and training staff came to a screaching halt because of the lockout, and the league needs to be prepared for a rocky start.
Narrative B
MLB is officially back. Though the lockout left many problems to be resolved, there's also a lot to look forward to. Free agency and trade talks resume, spring training is right around the corner, and we will have a full 162 game season. Play ball!
Establishment-critical narrative
Ever since 1990, the owners have plundered MLB revenues. Players want to see fairness in their salaries, better revenue sharing between players and among teams, and healthy competition across the league. These owner-driven labor disputes risk bleeding baseball into a niche sport.
