The Major League Baseball Players Association will no longer distribute five-figure licensing checks to the managers, coaches and athletic trainers covered by its benefits plans because of legal advice given to several major sports unions around tax compliance, people briefed on the decision said.
Eight personnel per team were previously eligible for the licensing money, which one recipient estimated at roughly $50,000 annually. The figure changes year to year.
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Union head Tony Clark delivered the news over video call on Wednesday. Although the MLBPA does not technically represent managers, coaches and athletic trainers, every major league team has seven “designated” spots that it assigns. Those seven people receive the same pension and healthcare benefits as major-league players, significant perks that will remain.
Until now, those designees also received licensing money.
Previously, an eighth spot received only the licensing money, and not the other benefits. It’s unclear if the union will be able to offer those who occupy that eighth spot alternative benefits.
Every team’s manager, head athletic trainer and assistant athletic trainer are typically designees among the seven slots, receiving the same benefits players do. Teams assign the other four spots from there. Sometimes, there is controversy around which personnel receive the designation.
(Photo of Tony Clark: Godofredo Vásquez / Associated Press)
