Major League Baseball is not above using its media properties to get its way during these labor negotiations. According to a report from The Athletic, MLB.com and MLB Network have wiped virtually all evidence of any current players from their platforms.
According to the story, MLB.com reporters have been instructed not to write stories about current players. They have also been told not to mention any of them by name on social media.
“MLB.com reporters initially were instructed to maintain a low profile on social media during the lockout, according to sources, but hours before the CBA expiration that directive changed: Writers are to avoid posting about baseball on social media until further notice. (That restriction was eased the following day, yet reporters were asked not to mention 40-man players or comment on the labor situation.)”
Awful Announcing highlights the current look of MLB.com. Joe Lucia describes it as “Hall of Fame and evergreen-centric, with a pair of links to information about the CBA stuck in between news and charity sections.”
The bigger change may be at MLB Network. The network has essentially ceased all live programming. Shows like Hot Stove, High Heat, and MLB Tonight have been replaced by game replays and movies.
“MLB.com reporters and MLB Network on-air personalities may cover breaking news and CBA negotiations, according to the league, but will not create content featured around current players until a new CBA has been agreed to,” The Athletic’s story reads. “That means very rare mentions of players on the league’s website or network due to a Catch-22: MLB Network and MLB.com can still mention players where breaking news warrants it, but because there will be no transactions and little news for the considerable future there will be few occasions to discuss them by name.”
Major League Baseball and its players association have never had a rosy relationship. It looks like the league’s media arm has been dragged right into the middle of the latest fight and is being used as part of the skirmish.
