"When you have momentum like we have that you've worked as hard as we have to get, you know that is a force that puts people in a frame of mind that they should understand they need to make an agreement, OK? Despite that momentum, we have a couple of issues that we hear about from our fans all the time: blackouts and the perception that some teams are not competitive. We got to address those issues. How we figure out the way to address those issues is the challenge of the bargaining process, and jumping to the idea that it's going to be salary cap, no salary cap is a premature thing to do. To maintain the momentum we all understand we have, I think we need to address those two issues and I think we'll figure out a way to do it."
"One of the biggest issues dividing the sport is the potential implementation of a salary cap. The league believes one is necessary to improve competitive balance while the players remain strongly against a salary cap as it would limit their earnings."
"Another key topic that figures to be discussed is regional blackouts, which essentially requires fans to pay for a regional sports network in order to watch their local team's games live."
The current collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, and formal negotiations are expected this spring. Salary cap implementation and regional blackout rules are central sticking points between the league and players. The league argues a salary cap and floor would improve competitive balance by forcing small-market teams to spend more and limiting big-market overspending. Players oppose a salary cap because it would cap earnings. Regional blackouts require fans to subscribe to regional sports networks to watch local games live. Commissioner Manfred emphasized momentum and said addressing competitive balance and blackouts is essential, though jumping to a salary-cap conclusion is premature.
Read at Dodger Blue
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