Has anyone wondered why an alleged “sports organization” continues to enjoy a century-long exemption from the monopoly-busting Sherman Antitrust Act while its leader, Commissar Rob Manfred, can unilaterally move the All-Star Game out of Atlanta in what has already been characterized as an illogical, hypocritical, monopolistic, and anti-American political action?
Given that the Atlanta population is 51 percent black, Commissar Manfred’s doltish action will adversely affect the economics of the very people he allegedly seeks to protect.
The only thing “major” about MLB is the gigantic $10.7 billion in revenue it keeps because Congress has not yet closed the loophole in the Sherman Antitrust Act.
And that $10.7 billion is spread among a mere 40 principal owners and a total of about 630 Major League ballplayers. With a rough tally of starting salaries at over $500,000, and many times beyond that for seasoned players, principal owners could still expect over $200 million each.
If Commissar Manfred is serious about voting rights, why doesn’t he simply surrender the MLB loophole and contribute the taxable chunk of that $10.7 billion to voting integrity? Is he afraid that the 40 principal owners might demur? Is he afraid that without the exemption new teams would spring up everywhere because he no longer would be running a monopoly?
What if everyday baseball fans, who shell out $34 or more per ticket to make MLB people really wealthy, decided that MLB should not be able to dictate political doctrine to them?
And then they stopped buying tickets.
And then they boycotted MLB advertisers.
Note to Commissar Manfred: You might be well advised to shut up and just play baseball, you know, what used to be called America’s favorite pastime . . . or risk having your fan base help to get your antitrust waiver shoved so far up your infield it will take the entire grounds crew to remove it, with the help of a diesel tractor and a team of talented proctologists.
You think the 40 owners would disagree?
Pass me the Cracker Jack.