Fehr Says Players Face Public Relations Hurdles
Former MLB players' union chief Donald Fehr discussed how the league's labor fight with players is playing out publicly as the current contract nears expiration.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Baseball
Live Poll
If games are missed in a work stoppage, would you blame owners or players more?
Former MLBPA executive director Donald Fehr discussed the public relations challenges facing players as Major League Baseball and the players' union remain at odds over a proposed hard salary cap and floor system. The current collective bargaining agreement expires in less than a month, and a lockout is likely to begin December 2.
Why it matters
The dispute over a salary cap could reshape how teams spend on players for years to come, and the outcome will affect fans across the country. Public opinion in a new poll leans toward a cap, which may influence how the negotiations are perceived.
In an SBJ poll of MLB fans conducted October 8-13 with Seton Hall University, 54% favored a salary cap while 19% opposed it. Asked who would be blamed for a work stoppage, 39% pointed to owners and 28% pointed to players, though the poll does not show how these views will affect the talks.
The players
Donald Fehr
Former executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association who led the union through prior labor disputes with owners and spoke on a recent episode of The Bret Boone Podcast.
Major League Baseball
The professional baseball league whose owners have proposed a hard salary cap and floor system in the current labor dispute with players.
The details
Fehr said the internet lets the union reach players far more quickly than during the 1994-95 strike, and he noted that the availability of entertainment options could have a moderating influence on negotiations. He also said fans identify with players but not with owners, whom they view as oligarchs.
Timeline
October 8-13: SBJ poll conducted in partnership with Seton Hall University.
December 2: Likely start of a lockout if no agreement is reached.
The Tech Race
The 1994-95 players' strike was a work stoppage that cost the league a full season of play, and today's negotiations are being shaped by faster communication. Fehr's remarks suggest the union now reaches players far more quickly than it did during that earlier dispute.
If a lockout begins December 2, regular-season scheduling and roster moves could be disrupted, affecting fantasy planning and game attendance. The outcome of the salary cap dispute will determine how teams can spend on players going forward.
The takeaway
Labor talks can shift quickly, so fans should watch the December 2 deadline closely. Following official league and union announcements will provide the most reliable updates on any changes to the season.
What happens next
The current collective bargaining agreement expires in less than a month, and a lockout is likely to begin December 2.
Further reading
Explore more Baseball coverage for context on the league's ongoing labor talks.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportsbusinessjournal.
Live Poll
If games are missed in a work stoppage, would you blame owners or players more?
