PHOENIX — In one of the most tumultuous days in the Major League Baseball Players’ Association’s proud history, union chief Tony Clark resigned after an internal investigation revealed an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law – a union employee – with players debating later in the day who should take over his job on an interim basis.
The union had a conference call with their 30 player representatives and eight executive council members to discuss Clark’s forced resignation and vote on whether Bruce Meyer, the union’s lead negotiator, should be his replacement. While the executive council expressed support for Meyer, there was pushback from at least three different players on the call who opposed Meyer, according to one player, and no vote was taken.
The players are scheduled to convene again Wednesday on a conference call after player representatives are able to speak to their teammates, with the executive council expected to push for a vote. If Meyer is not approved, the union could promote an attorney from its general counsel for a vote taken of players. Meyer would be asked to remain as their lead negotiator with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire Dec. 1.
Meanwhile, after the union postponed its first spring training meetings with the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, Meyer and union officials are scheduled to meet at 10:30 a.m. ET Wednesday with Kansas City Royals players. Meyer is expected to address the media after speaking to the players.
Clark, who was cleared by the union’s internal investigation for handling its finances, still faces a federal investigation by the Eastern District of New York. The federal investigation uncovered the relationship between Clark and his wife’s sister, who has worked at the union’s Scottsdale, Arizona, office since it opened in 2023. She earned $83,101 in 2023 and $96,524 in 2024, according to union financial statements.
The union issued a release late Tuesday night confirming Clark’s resignation, but did not specify the reason, saying only that their union staff, outside counsel and players had discussed the next steps.
“As always, the players remain focused on their ongoing preparations for collective bargaining this year,’ the statement read. “The strength of this union is – and will always be – the solidarity of our membership. We have a long history of fighting for the rights of every player, and we’re committed to making sure we can continue that fight successfully.’
Several members of the executive subcommittee, speaking to reporters Tuesday, insisted that Clark’s departure would not leave the union in disarray as they’re about to embark on negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. The owners are expected to seek a salary cap like the other three major sports, while the union is vehemently opposed to even discussing the concept.
“I don’t think it has any impact on negotiating,” Detroit Tigers Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, a member of the subcommittee, told reporters in Lakeland, Florida. “Bruce has been our lead negotiator. He’s done it in the past. Although Tony has been the face of the PA in terms of negotiating, I’m still as confident as ever in Bruce and everyone else that we’ve got behind him.”
Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale
