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A22 sports
Wednesday 20 February 2019

Tony Clark: Some teams make

little effort to justify ticket costs

are imperative now — not
in 2022 or 2025, but in 2019.”
Players have become
increasingly outspoken
about the slow pace of
agreements and have
mentioned the possibility of
a work stoppage in 2022.
“Everybody sees it. It’s ob-
viously not good for base-
ball,” said Los Angeles An-
gels outfielder Mike Trout, a In this June 20, 2016, file photo, then-U.S. men’s soccer coach
two-time AL MVP who can Jurgen Klinsmann talks to reporters during a Copa America
become a free agent after Centenario news conference, in Houston.
the 2020 season. Associated Press
The union is concerned
In this July 9, 2017, file photo, Tony Clark, head of the MLB Players Jurgen Klinsmann
Association, stands on the field before the All-Star Futures that too many teams are
baseball game in Miami. rebuilding, trying to emu-
Associated Press late the Houston Astros. received $3.35M
By RONALD BLUM “Players’ eyes don’t de- Houston lost 106 to 111
AP Baseball Writer ceive them, nor do fans’,” games in three straight settlement from USSF
NEW YORK (AP) — Players’ Clark said in a statement years from 2011-13, earned
union head Tony Clark took Monday. “As players report three straight No. 1 draft CHICAGO (AP) — Jurgen Caribbean. His contract
the extraordinary step of to spring training and see picks and won its first World Klinsmann received a $3.35 was settled for $3,354,167,
saying baseball fans should respected veterans and Series title in 2017. million settlement of his the tax filing said.
question whether it makes valued teammates on the “This narrative that our contract with the U.S. Soc- Arena earned $899,348 in
sense to purchase tickets sidelines, they are rightfully teams aren’t trying is just cer Federation, according base pay during the fiscal
for some teams, respond- frustrated by a two-year at- not supported by the to the USSF’s tax filing. year and a $50,000 bonus,
ing to Commissioner Rob tack on free agency. Play- facts,” Manfred said. “Our His replacement, Bruce according to the filing,
Manfred’s assertion that ers commit to compete teams are trying. Every sin- Arena, was given a which was first reported by
free-agent players have every pitch of every at-bat, gle one of them wants to $300,000 settlement during The Washington Post. He
failed to adjust their eco- and every inning of every win. It may look a little dif- the fiscal year that ended quit after the U.S. loss at
nomic demands in a mar- game. Yet we’re operating ferent to outsiders because March 31, 2018, according Trinidad and Tobago in Oc-
ket upended by analytics. in an environment in which the game has changed, to the filing, which was re- tober 2017 that ended the
Top free agents Bryce an increasing number of the way that people think leased Monday. Americans’ streak of seven
Harper, Manny Machado, clubs appear to be mak- about the game, the way Klinsmann was hired in 2011 straight World Cup appear-
Craig Kimbrel and Dallas ing little effort to improve that people think about and in December 2013 was ances.
Keuchel remain unsigned their rosters, compete for a putting a winning team to- given a contract extension Dave Sarachan, Arena’s
with spring training under championship or justify the gether has changed, but through December 2018. top assistant, was the in-
way, creating tension dur- price of a ticket.” that doesn’t mean they’re He was fired in Novem- terim coach from October
ing negotiations on man- Average attendance has not trying.” ber 2016 after an 0-2 start 2017 through last Novem-
agement’s proposals for a dropped for three straight Chicago Cubs Chairman in the final round of World ber. He had a base salary
pitch clock and new limi- seasons and last year fell Tom Ricketts defended Cup qualifying in North and of $223,656 during the fiscal
tations on relief pitchers. below 30,000 per game for his team’s decision not to Central America and the year.q
The union responded with the first time since 2003. spend money on this off-
a wider list of plans that in- Players rebuffed manage- season’s most illustrious free No. 1 Naomi Osaka
clude economic initiatives ment’s proposal for a pitch agents.
such as expanding the des- clock ahead of the 2017 “That’s a pretty easy ques- loses 1st match since
ignated hitter to the Na- and 2018 seasons. Man- tion to answer. We don’t
tional League and altering agement made the unilat- have any more,” he said.
the amateur draft to make eral decision to experiment “The fact is that we’ve splitting from coach
rebuilding less appealing. with a pitch clock during been in the top five in
“Markets change,” Man- spring training. Manfred spending, in baseball DUBAI, United Arab Emir-
fred said Sunday. “We’ve has said he is reticent to spending, for the last five or ates (AP) — Naomi Osaka
had a lot of change in the change regular-season six years. We’re in the top lost her first match since
game. People think about playing rules unless players couple last year. We’ve moving up to No. 1 in the
players differently. They agree. put our money back on the WTA rankings — and first
analyze players differently. “Players have made a sin- field. Unfortunately, you just since splitting from her
They negotiate differently.” cere attempt to engage can’t have a high-profile coach. The two-time major
Clark led negotiations in with clubs on their propos- free agent every single champion had trouble with
2016 for a five-year labor als to improve pace of play year. And part of that is ob- her serve and was beaten Naomi Osaka, of Japan,
deal. Players have increas- and enhance the game’s viously is how much it costs, 6-3, 6-3 by Kristina Mlade- reacts during her match
ingly been outspoken appeal to fans,” Clark said. whatever, $25 million, $30 novic at the Dubai Cham- against Kristina Mladenovic,
about their unhappiness “At the same time, we have million it’s going to cost, pionships in a little more of France, at the Dubai Duty
Free Tennis Championship in
during a second straight presented wide-ranging plus it’s a 10-year commit- than an hour on Tuesday. Dubai, United Arab Emirates,
slow free-agent market, ideas that value substance ment. ... As much as I would Osaka had not competed Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019.
one that has seen many over seconds and ensure love to have a great, new, since winning the Austra- Associated Press
veterans take significant the best players are on the exciting player every single lian Open in January for her allowed her to become the
pay cuts and others remain field every day. We believe season, it just can’t happen second consecutive Grand first tennis player from Asia
without deals. these substantive changes every year.”q Slam title. That victory also to lead the rankings. q