MLB Proposes 50/50 Revenue Split and Hard Salary Cap

Aiming to close payroll gaps by sharing media revenue, the plan could prompt a lockout when the CBA expires Dec. 1, 2026.

Overview

MLB published a league video that on Nov. 13 outlined three core changes: split all baseball revenue 50/50 between players and teams, a hard salary cap and floor, and equal distribution of media income.
The league put specific cap numbers on the table, proposing a $258.2 million ceiling and a $180.2 million floor with implementation delayed until 2028.
High‑profile players and agents pushed back publicly, with Jameson Taillon calling MLB’s messaging “comically bad” and agent Joel Wolfe saying a cap is unacceptable.
The current collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, 2026, and the dispute over a hard cap has raised the real prospect of a lockout that could disrupt the 2027 season.
MLB used payroll data to justify the plan, citing a $446 million gap between top and bottom spenders and win differentials, and the league says equal media shares would give it leverage to end local TV blackouts that frustrate fans.