Overview

• Commissioner Rob Manfred reiterated at the All-Star Game in Atlanta that a hard salary cap tied to revenue guarantees could curb widening payroll disparities and offset declining broadcast income.
• MLBPA executive director Tony Clark denounced any cap proposal as “institutionalized collusion” that would undermine guaranteed contracts and pit players against each other.
• Star players including Pete Alonso warned publicly that if negotiations break down, a lockout is likely when the collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1, 2026, risking lost regular-season games.
• Despite tiered luxury taxes raised in 2022, high-spending franchises like the Dodgers and Mets have set new payroll records, while several small-market teams continue operating on minimal budgets.
• Management’s preliminary cap plan may feature a salary floor and a guaranteed percentage of league revenue for players, though details remain under development ahead of next winter’s talks.