Major League Baseball's fan council, formed earlier this year with 90 dedicated supporters, received a presentation on competitive balance during its November meeting. The topic, central to upcoming labor negotiations, sparked varied reactions among members. The discussion highlighted concerns over payroll disparities between large- and small-market teams.
Early in 2025, Major League Baseball established a fan council comprising 90 diehard fans from across the league. The group meets monthly via video call with executives, receiving presentations on various topics. Past sessions covered the science of 'torpedo bats' in June and social-media strategy in August. However, the November meeting focused on competitive balance, a key issue in the ongoing labor dispute between owners and players ahead of the collective bargaining agreement's expiration in December 2026.
Glen Caplin, MLB's spokesperson on labor issues, led the presentation. It compared the Los Angeles Dodgers, who set a payroll record of about $415 million this year per Cot's Contracts, to the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, noting the latter's salary cap constraints. Slides showed win distributions between small- and big-market teams over recent years. While Caplin insisted the talk responded to fan surveys and avoided direct labor discussion, participants said it naturally led to conversations about salary caps and spending.
Fan reactions varied. P.T. Tierney, a New York Yankees supporter with nearly 4,000 X followers, viewed it as a PR strategy: "They know they have a major PR battle coming up with this CBA negotiation, and they’re trying to test the best ways to frame the discussion to the public as to why a salary cap... might make sense."
Matt Chowansky, a Philadelphia Phillies fan with 9,100 followers, questioned the approach: "One of the biggest things that came into my mind was like, ‘Why us?’"
Greg Kuffner, a Cincinnati Reds fan and Sports Illustrated contributor with 17,400 followers, saw it as factual: "I think they were simply just giving us statistics."
Shannon Hurd, a Colorado Rockies fan with 4,000 followers, supported a salary cap: "The discrepancy has gotten out of control... Something has to be done."
The Major League Baseball Players Association declined comment. Commissioner Rob Manfred has raised similar concerns with players, including a tense exchange with Bryce Harper. Fans were invited via social media direct messages and can discuss presentations publicly, though screenshots are prohibited. MLB provides no payment but offers merchandise like hats and bats. The council aims to represent large-, mid-, and small-market fans equally.