Tony Clark’s tenure as executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association has come to an abrupt end at a pivotal moment for the sport’s labor landscape.
Clark resigned Tuesday after the union’s executive subcommittee asked him to step aside following an internal investigation conducted by outside counsel. The review uncovered evidence of an inappropriate relationship between Clark and his sister-in-law, who has worked for the union since 2023. The union confirmed the resignation but did not publicly detail the findings.
The leadership shakeup arrives as the MLBPA faces mounting pressure on multiple fronts. Federal authorities in Brooklyn are investigating OneTeam Partners, a licensing company formed in 2019 by the players’ union, the NFL Players Association and investment firm RedBird Capital Partners. The probe adds another layer of scrutiny during an already sensitive period for the union.
Clark’s departure leaves the MLBPA without a permanent leader just months before collective bargaining is expected to begin. The current five-year labor agreement expires Dec. 1, and discussions with Major League Baseball are anticipated to start in April. League management is widely expected to pursue a salary cap proposal, a long-standing flashpoint in baseball labor relations that could set the stage for another work stoppage.
Deputy executive director Bruce Meyer is positioned to serve as the union’s primary negotiator in the upcoming talks, continuing the role he held during the 2021–22 negotiations. Those discussions resulted in a new labor agreement after a 99-day lockout delayed the start of the 2022 season.
Clark, 53, made history as the first former player to head the MLBPA. A one-time All-Star first baseman, he rose through union leadership after his playing career and took over as executive director in 2013 following the death of Michael Weiner. Clark guided players through tense negotiations in 2016 and again in 2022, earning both praise for his leadership and criticism during internal debates over bargaining strategy.
The union’s executive board met Tuesday but did not select a successor. Meanwhile, the MLBPA has postponed its annual tour of the 30 spring training camps, signaling that internal matters have taken priority as the organization recalibrates.
With a potential salary cap fight looming and federal investigators examining one of its business ventures, the MLBPA now faces a defining stretch. The union must steady its leadership while preparing for negotiations that could reshape the financial structure of the sport.