Major League Baseball is canceling the start of the 2022 MLB season and postponing Opening Day with the MLB lockout now stretching into March.
MLB imposed a lockout on Dec. 2, 2021 following the expiration of the collective-bargaining agreement. Both sides expressed optimism for a new CBA being signed before spring training began. However, negotiations didn’t really pick up until January and MLB went 43 days without making a proposal after imposing the lockout. On Jan. 25, league officials first expressed a willingness to cancel games.
Following minuscule progress in negotiations throughout January, baseball entered February working with a countdown. Pitchers and catchers were originally scheduled to report for spring training by Feb. 16. However, early talks in February went poorly and many became increasingly fearful by Feb. 13 that the 2022 season would be delayed.
MLB delayed its spring training schedule on Feb. 18 and intermittent negotiations resulted in no real progress. Before MLB officials and the MLBPA met in Florida for a full week of in-person negotiations, the league imposed a Feb. 28 deadline for a new CBA to be reached or else Opening Day would be postponed.
“I consider missing games as a disastrous outcome for the industry.”
By Saturday, following six consecutive days of discussions and counter-proposals, both sides came away outraged with only minor gains made on small issues. While both sides continued discussions over the next four days, MLB announced Tuesday it is postponing the start of the 2022 season, canceling the first two series on the schedule.
Why is MLB lockout happening?
Only commissioner Rob Manfred and Major League Baseball have the authority to impose and end a lockout. It’s a strategic move used to create leverage in negotiations over the players’ union, putting a freeze on all major-league transactions and preventing players from being paid.
Importantly, no MLB lockout ever led to the cancelation of regular-season games until now. In the three instances when the league imposed a lockout, it only lasted for a few weeks to a month. This is unprecedented territory, led by Manfred.
- 1973 MLB lockout: No canceled games
- 1976 MLB lockout: No canceled games
- 1990 MLB lockout: No canceled games
Unsurprisingly, money is the entire issue. While players want to implement a draft lottery to prevent tanking and want a universal designated hitter, like owners’ push for expanded MLB playoffs, it all comes down to baseball revenue.