Cyprian McFarlane’s Post

Fun Fact Friday: The history of Major League Baseball (MLB) free agency is fascinating. The history of labor rights, legal battles, and significant economic changes in Major League Baseball (MLB). Here are the key milestones: - Pre-Free Agency Era: MLB teams included a reserve clause in player contracts, limiting players' bargaining power. - The Flood Case: Curt Flood's challenge laid the groundwork for future changes regarding the reserve clause. - Establishment of Free Agency (1975): Arbitration decision effectively nullified the reserve clause for players without a contract for one year. Evolution and Impact of Free Agency: - First Free Agents (1976): Significant salary increases as teams competed for top talent. - Continued Labor Negotiations: Free agency has been a central issue in labor negotiations, strikes, and lockouts. - Luxury Tax and Revenue Sharing: Introduced to address disparity between large and small-market teams, impacting free agency and team spending. Modern Free Agency: - Big Contracts and Market Trends: Led to some of the largest contracts in sports history. - International Free Agency: Increase in international free agents entering the league. - Recent Developments: Ongoing negotiations continue to shape free agency, reflecting broader changes in labor relations and the economics of professional sports.

Caitlin Clark, who became the leading scorer in NCAA basketball history and the first pick in the WNBA draft this week, will make a $76,535 salary this year. The top NBA pick will make $10.5 million. Clark’s salary compared to top National Basketball Association players is drawing attention to Women’s National Basketball Association players’ pay and the often massive gender gap in professional sports salaries. The highest-paid WNBA player made a $242,000 salary, while the league minimum salary in the NBA is over a million dollars in 2023. The WNBA’s stars aren’t asking to be paid an equal dollar amount to NBA players, however. Not right now, anyway. They acknowledge the reality of being in a league with a smaller pool of revenue to go around, and one that is a lot younger — without 50 preceding years of contract negotiations and the subsequent hard-won worker protections and salaries that come with that longevity. What they want is more an issue of fairness, they say. Read more: https://cnn.it/4aQzW2o

👀 READ THE TITLE OF THE ARTICLE: “What the conversation about Caitlin Clark’s pay gets wrong” ❌ This is NOT a conversation about comparing the starting salary of an NBA player to a WNBA player. ❌ This is NOT a chance to dismiss the gross pay disparity by saying endorsement opportunities will pour in. ❌ This is NOT a conversation about lack of viewership or interest in W basketball. That argument is now invalid. ✅ This IS a conversation about WNBA players receiving their FAIR SHARE of revenue. “Women receive around 10% of the WNBA’s overall revenue, while the NBA collective bargaining agreement gives players 50% of revenue” 💵 PAY WNBA PLAYERS THEIR FAIR SHARE. PERIOD.

NWSL's Draft Abolishment and Its Impact on NCAA Soccer Stars In a landmark decision, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has officially eliminated its college draft, signalling a significant shift in the professional soccer landscape. As part of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) running through 2030, this change will give NCAA women’s soccer players more control over their careers by allowing them to negotiate directly with teams instead of being assigned through a draft. The NWSL College Draft began in 2013 and has been a crucial entry point for players like Crystal Dunn, Sophia Smith, and Rose Lavelle. However, the elimination of the draft shifts the power dynamic—players will now have the ability to choose where they want to play, and teams will need to create environments that attract top talent. This new model aligns with the growing trend of athlete empowerment, seen in the rise of NIL deals in college sports. In addition to abolishing the draft, the new CBA introduces financial incentives to help level the playing field across the league. Teams will operate under an annual salary cap, while players' minimum salaries will also grow significantly. These changes reflect a broader shift toward prioritizing player autonomy and ensuring a more equitable distribution of resources across the NWSL. How will the end of the NWSL college draft reshape the future of professional women’s soccer?

Professional sports players' unions filed an amicus brief in support of Dartmouth MBB's ability to unionize. Will the NCAA, players, and teams be able to collectively bargain? What are some of the practical consequences of unionization in college sports? Check out the below article from Sean McConnell Bryan Shapiro and me.

Check out Constangy attorney Chris Deubert's insightful blog post, originally published in Forbes, where he dives into how the new women's soccer collective bargaining agreement is positioning the sport for success and giving players a competitive edge over rival leagues like the Super League. Click the link below to read more! #SportsLaw #WomensSoccer

Check out Constangy attorney Chris Deubert's insightful blog post, originally published in Forbes, where he dives into how the new women's soccer collective bargaining agreement is positioning the sport for success and giving players a competitive edge over rival leagues like the Super League. Click the link below to read more! #SportsLaw #WomensSoccer

Check out Constangy attorney Chris Deubert's insightful blog post, originally published in Forbes, where he dives into how the new women's soccer collective bargaining agreement is positioning the sport for success and giving players a competitive edge over rival leagues like the Super League. Click the link below to read more! #SportsLaw #WomensSoccer

Check out Constangy attorney Chris Deubert's insightful blog post, originally published in Forbes, where he dives into how the new women's soccer collective bargaining agreement is positioning the sport for success and giving players a competitive edge over rival leagues like the Super League. Click the link below to read more! #SportsLaw #WomensSoccer

Check out Constangy attorney Chris Deubert's insightful blog post, originally published in Forbes, where he dives into how the new women's soccer collective bargaining agreement is positioning the sport for success and giving players a competitive edge over rival leagues like the Super League. Click the link below to read more! #SportsLaw #WomensSoccer