Rob Manfred: MLB clubs could lose $4B if season canceled

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred had a dire warning about the potentially catastrophic consequences if the season is canceled. Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Rob Manfred: MLB clubs could lose $4 billion if season is canceled

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 5/15/20

The Major League Baseball season has yet to begin due to the coronavirus pandemic, and there's been no word as to whether or not the campaign will start at all.

MLB owners made a proposal to the players' union this week on ways the season can resume, but players don't seem to keen on the idea of playing a season during the pandemic away from their families while also getting paid less.

Unfortunately, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred says team owners could lose $4 billion if the season is outright canceled.

"We’re a big business, but we’re a seasonal business and, unfortunately, this crisis began at the low point for us in terms of revenue," the league commish told CNN on Thursday. "We hadn’t quite started our season yet and if we don’t play a season, the losses for the owners could approach $4 billion."

"If we don't play a season, the losses for the [club] owners could approach $4 billion," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred says about the economic impact of coronavirus on the sport.#CNNTownHall https://t.co/e4xneYOMDI pic.twitter.com/glHTd4XkHo
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) May 15, 2020

Obviously the league is trying to avoid this scenario, and they've proposed various health and safety regulations while also discussing the need for frequent testing upon baseball's return.

Although the league is trying to get things right, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Blake Snell said on his Twitch stream this week that he won't play for a lower salary, while Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper essentially agreed with him on that front.

However, Manfred is optimistic that the season will begin. We'll just have to wait and see how things go.

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