Story perspectives

Trump Backs MLB Owners' $245M Salary Cap, Players Oppose

6/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump backed owners’ salary-cap plan, calling lack of a cap “shocking” since the 1994-95 strike.
Owners propose a $245.3 million cap and a $171.2 million floor, leaving nine teams above cap and 12 below floor.
Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) director Bruce Meyer called a cap a “non-starter” and urged sharing.
The bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, allowing owners to lock out players on Dec. 2 without a deal.

History

Historical Context

In August 1994, after 34 days of a players’ strike that began on August 12, acting commissioner Bud Selig cancelled the rest of the MLB season and the World Series, costing owners about $1.5 billion. The stoppage halted over 260 players set to earn $1 million each, the league’s longest work stoppage. Today former president Donald Trump backs owners’ $245.3 million salary-cap plan, recalling the 1994 urgency.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump backed owners’ salary-cap plan, calling lack of a cap “shocking” since the 1994-95 strike.
Owners propose a $245.3 million cap and a $171.2 million floor, leaving nine teams above cap and 12 below floor.
Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) director Bruce Meyer called a cap a “non-starter” and urged sharing.
The bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, allowing owners to lock out players on Dec. 2 without a deal.

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