Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has declined to speculate on whether former President Donald Trump might intervene in the league's upcoming collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations, though he noted Trump's expressed interest in sports.
The current CBA is set to expire in December, and the league is facing significant disagreements between owners and players, particularly over the owners' proposal for a salary cap. This proposal is considered non-negotiable by the players.
Manfred stated at a recent press conference that it would be "wildly inappropriate" to speculate on any potential presidential involvement in a hypothetical situation. However, he acknowledged Trump's reputation as a sports fan and his knowledge of the sports business.
"He's a great sports fan, and he is really knowledgeable about the business of sports, so it doesn't surprise me," Manfred said. He added that while Trump is "interested," he indicated that he would "pass" on any potential assistance from the former president.
Trump has previously commented on MLB's lack of a salary cap, calling it "shocking" and stating that "if you don't have a salary cap, you don't have a sport." He has drawn parallels to other professional sports leagues like the NFL and NBA, which have salary caps.
The league is navigating these negotiations amid a period of renewed fan interest, partly attributed to recent rule changes aimed at speeding up game play. Manfred has emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, stating, "The best way to lose momentum is to stand still."
This follows Trump's prior engagement with college sports, where he hosted a roundtable and signed an executive order focused on addressing issues within college athletics. Unlike the NFL, NBA, and NHL, MLB has never implemented a salary cap.