Senator Bernie Sanders aims to remove MLB’s antitrust protections
Bernie Sanders
Senator Bernie Sanders will continue with his fight against Major League Baseball (MLB) even after the new collective bargaining agreement was reportedly settled upon Thursday. He even vowed to introduce antitrust legislation against the MLB.
The baseball league, which is exempt from the United States’ Sherman Antitrust Act based on a Supreme Court ruling in 1922, enjoys a monopoly in the industry. However, Sanders has been highly critical of MLB’s practices for several years.
The Democratic Party’s presidential candidate even called out commissioner Rob Manfred for proposing cuts to minor league baseball in 2019 and noted his disappointment in 2021 when dozens of teams were dropped.
“I’m very excited that we have introduced this legislation which should do away with the unique antitrust protections that Major League Baseball has enjoyed since 1922,” Sanders said. “I think the time is now when these billionaires should start paying attention to the needs of the fans and the people of this country, rather than just their bottom line.”
“Must prevent the greed of baseball’s oligarchs”
The MLB lockout has ended after 99 days, as the sides reached an agreement that will seemingly rescue a 162-game season in 2022. But Sanders isn’t still satisfied with the situation and will aim for baseball’s governing body through legislation.
“It would be wrong for Congress to simply celebrate today’s agreement and move on. We must prevent the greed of baseball’s oligarchs from destroying the game. The best way to do that is to end Major League Baseball’s antitrust exemption and I will be introducing legislation to do just that.”
“I think what you will see, Bryant, is supported not just from Democrats, but from Republicans,” said Sanders. “I think there is a growing anger amongst the American people at baseball. I think the temperature is rising here in Congress to do something about it.”
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