Presser: MLBPA Chief Tony Clark Has Pointed Remarks About Gambling Issues, Potential Lockout

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Baseball Isn’t Boring 13 min 4 speakers 5 chapters transcribed
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What are the ongoing issues with gambling in MLB?

Tony Clark 0:00
This is always the cycle, and you guys know, we get a year out of bargaining. In this instance, or at that time, it was almost two years out of bargaining. You start having dialogue and having conversations with players in preparation for the expected negotiation. The commentary that had been started at the beginning of the year was exactly as you were referencing, what it was that the league was otherwise interested in doing. For us, it's always about engaging the players, educating the players and talking about the issues and ensuring that we understand where they are. So to the extent that we did that, we did. to the extent that our board meeting this year will be focused in on the heels of those conversations it will be and then we'll be in a position as we always are to negotiate in good faith with the league once we're formally sitting at the table consider sitting in on those meetings rob had like could you guys have sent someone from staff
Tony Clark 1:04
The opportunity to sit in on those meetings is available. Our players, to the extent that they would have an interest in us sitting in, could make that request. But as I just highlighted a little while ago, we engage and educate our players to the extent that They have those meetings. They're more than willing to ask questions, get answers to those questions. To the extent that any dialogue needs to happen thereafter, it could and it did. But in regards to whether or not the commissioner's office is interested in having us sit in on those meetings, you can ask him as to whether or not he's interested.
Unknown 1:49
I'm assuming no change, like you're still 100% against a cap or anything. Yeah, no change.
Host 1:55
Resembly a cap. No change. Rob keeps saying they haven't decided yet, but you're still under the impression that they're going to try to introduce a cap.
Tony Clark 2:06
As a ballplayer before every game, I had read the scouting report, and then I appreciated what my history was against that particular pitcher that night. And I prepared accordingly. Rob's been in the game and the commissioner has been in the game for a long time. I've been in the game for a long time. We're preparing accordingly and we'll sit down as we always do with an eye on trying to find common ground. A fair and equitable deal is always the goal that will continue.
Unknown 2:36
Are you guys holding back licensing money? Could you explain any of the financial preparations? Is it identical to last time? Do you do it any differently this time?
Tony Clark 2:45
The players, every board meeting, the players decide whether to what extent to retain licensing dollars as we get closer and closer to bargaining.

How is the MLBPA preparing for negotiations with the league?

Tony Clark 2:55
This player group made the determination to retain all of their group licensing and there has been no distribution of late. The players themselves decide that. As a result of decisions we've made as an organization, we are in a position and more importantly the players are in a position against the backdrop of those retained dollars to be financially positioned in a way they never have before.
Unknown 3:22
change the free agent market this winter, Tony, as far as teams maybe not spending as much because of the CBA coming up?
Tony Clark 3:30
Well, we'll have to see. We know going into every market, every market can be a little bit different, but we do recognize that for every team that is looking to improve itself, there's going to be an opportunity to do so this offseason. We simply hope that it's all 30 teams that are interested in trying to be the last team standing with the wherewithal that all 30 teams have going into this offseason rather than a few.
Host 3:53
The national TV package that Rob's trying to do, you'll have to be involved, I would imagine. Do you think they have to collectively bargain that?
Tony Clark 4:02
Not the negotiation itself with whatever partners they're looking to engage with. How those negotiations go with respect to the construct of those deals and how they may otherwise affect the system that we have, that would be the discussion that we participate in.
Unknown 4:19
When a couple of years ago when baseball kind of embraced gambling, you kind of fear like things could happen.

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