Executive Compensation at the Major League Baseball Players Association

The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c) 5 – a union representing the players (40-man rosters on 30 Major League Baseball teams or 1,200 players) and the group commercial and licensing activities of the active players.  Essentially, the MLBPA is the collective bargaining representative for all current Major League Baseball players assisting them with grievances, salary arbitration (the average player compensation is $4 million annually with a minimum compensation of $600,000), playing conditions, and the group licensing agent on behalf of the players.

In addition to the players, all managers, coaches, and trainers that have signed contracts with a major league club may join the MLBPA.  Annual dues are estimated to be about $16,000 annually.

Headquartered in New York (midtown), the MLBPA reported total revenue of $82 million (a high mark compared to the previous 10 years when revenue ranged from $29 million to $57 million), most of which came from memberships dues ($69 million) and gains from the sale of assets ($9 million).  With $132 million in net assets, the MLBPA can certainly rely on gains (or losses) from investments.

Expenses totaled $27 million (consistent with previous years that ranged from $20 million to $27 million) with the largest expense reported to be compensation.  63 employees received $16 million in compensation, which equates to an average compensation of $254,000.  However, only 34 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 11 most highly compensated (all but one described as “employee”)reported to be:

• $2,303,166:  Anthony Clark, Executive Director
• $1,053,166:  Bruce Meyer
• $  740,574:  Kevin McGuiness
• $  697,946:  Ian Penny
• $  673,766:  Matt Nussbaum
• $  609,212:  Robert Lenaghan
• $  602,677:  Tim Slavin
• $  497,216:  Jeff Percante
• $  468,166:  Xavier James
• $  335,211:  Marietta DeCamillo
• $  332,410:  Martha Child

The 10 most highly compensated employees received $8.3 million in compensation.  9 of the 11 (and the 9 most highly compensated) were male.  The most highly compensated employee was Anthony Clark, the Executive Director who received nearly $13 million in compensation in the past 6 years:

• 2019:  $2.3 million
• 2018:  $2.2 million
• 2017:  $2.2 million
• 2016:  $2.1 million
• 2015:  $2.0 million
• 2014:  $2.0 million

MLBPA paid for first class travel (every year going back to at least 2014).

25 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 5 most highly compensated reported to be:

• $1,640,000:  Weil, Gotshal and Manges, LLP, of NY, NY for specialty advisor services
• $  593,432:  Icreon Tech, of NY, NY for technology specialist services
• $  513,089:  Baseball Info Solutions, of Coplay, PA for specialty advisor services
• $  389,922:  The Brattle Group, Inc, of NY, NY for specialty advisor services
• $  316,444:  ZBS Enterprises, of NY, NY for technology specialist services

In summary, the MLBPA is a union representing ball players, managers, coaches and trainers in collective bargaining and as an agent for group commercial licensing.  The organization historically raises $30-$80 million annually, with the annual dues for a ball player about $16,000 annually.  There are about 63 employees at MLBPA who receive an average compensation of $250,000 each, although there are those who receive significantly higher compensation (Anthony Clark who has received more than $2 million annually since 2014) and those who receive significantly lower compensation.  AMPBA pays for first class travel and generally uses outside vendors as “specialty advisors” with no further detail provided.

To read the IRA Form 990 (2019), click here.