MLBPA head Tony Clark resigns after investigation as lockout looms

Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark. Evan Petzold / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

MLBPA executive director Tony Clark resigns after investigation as lockout looms

By Daniel Morrison | Last updated Feb 18, 2026 8:02 AM ET

Tony Clark, the executive director of the MLB Players Association, is resigning, according to multiple reports.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan and Don Van Natta Jr., an internal investigation revealed Clark "had an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law," who was hired by the union in 2023.

This comes just ahead of spring training games, and Clark and the MLBPA were expected to take a tour of camps. That was going to start with the Cleveland Guardians, but the stop has since been canceled.

Neither Clark nor his attorneys has publicly released a statement at this time. He had been the head of the union since 2013. However, both Clark and the union had been under federal investigation regarding the use of licensing money or equity to enrich themselves, per The Athletic.

MLBPA to undergo leadership change at a volatile time

This comes at what can only be described as an inconvenient time for the MLBPA. Tensions are high between players and owners as they attempt to negotiate a new CBA. The current one is expected to expire following the season, and without a new deal, a lockout is expected for the 2027 season.

Several owners have been vocal about adding a salary cap to baseball, in particular as the Los Angeles Dodgers stockpile talent. That would make the sport's free agency more like the other major sports. However, the players naturally don't want what they see as a form of salary manipulation.

Clark was key in negotiating the current CBA. He did so alongside deputy director Bruce Meyer. Neither believes a salary cap would help competitive balance in the sport.

MLB is not a stranger to these kinds of disputes. In 2021, there was a 99-day lockout before a deal was eventually struck. That came after disputes about similar issues, on which both sides simply kicked the can down the road. Now, MLB and the MLBPA are going to be forced to deal with those issues.

What's next for MLBPA?

The need to negotiate the CBA isn't going to go away just because the union is going through turmoil. So, the MLBPA needs to find some kind of stability and find it fast.

Neither Clark nor Meyer has been overly popular in recent years, in large part due to the specter of further labor disputes. Even before the federal probe, some players and agents had pushed for a change in leadership. So, while Meyer is a logical candidate to replace Clark, he may not be a popular choice with everyone.

In any union as large as the MLBPA, there are going to be dissenting voices. That can't be the case now, given how sensitive a time it is. Instead, the union needs a new leader. That new leader will need to be skilled at handling labor disputes and getting the players to rally behind a common goal.

Daniel Morrison

Dan Morrison is a writer originally from Massachusetts, now residing in Florida. He spent four years at On3, working on the National News Desk there. Prior to that, he’s also contributed at Underdog Dynasty.

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