Democrat Asks Congress To ‘Reconsider’ MLB’s Antitrust Exemption

Democratic Senator Dick Durbin made a public appeal on Wednesday, March 9th, urging Congress to “reconsider” the antitrust exemption Major League Baseball enjoys as commissioner Rob Manfred announced that a lockout that has already disrupted spring training would continue.

“Enough. After almost 100 days of the MLB lockout, it’s time to reconsider MLB’s special antitrust exemption, which allows them to act as a lawful monopoly. Fans across America deserve better,” Durbin (D-Ill.), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, tweeted Wednesday.

“Message to the owners: unlock the lockout and play ball,” he said.

Major League Baseball’s exemption came out of a 1922 ruling by the US Supreme Court that federal antitrust laws do not apply because professional baseball is not considered “interstate commerce” and the Sherman Act is not applicable. 

The beginning of the season was delayed due to stalled talks between the owners of the 30 teams and the players union over a collective bargaining agreement, pushing back Opening Day until April 14. 

UPDATE: The MLB Lockout ended on Thursday, March 10th, after Major League Baseball representatives and the MLB Players Association reached a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that will settle the dispute and allow the season to resume, the New York Times reported.

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