Aaron Holmes 
FILE - Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark answers a question during a news conference in New York on March 11, 2022. The MLBPA has voted to extend Clark's contract through 2027. The 50-year-old Clark helped broker the players’ current labor deal with MLB. After several contentious months of negotiations, the MLBPA and MLB agreed to the new deal in March, which saved a full 162-game season. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
ESPN/NFL analysts have turned their attention to baseball, where MLBPA Chief Tony Clark faces a federal investigation. Clark has brought in outside counsel from Katten Muchin Rosenman as the Department of Justice investigates the players’ union leadership. The probe focuses on Clark’s and other executives’ potential improper benefits from the MLBPA’s OneTeam partnership.
The financial implications are substantial. OneTeam, a licensing company that the MLBPA and NFL Players Association co-founded in 2019, reached a valuation of nearly $2 billion in 2022. The partnership has brought in $160 million for the MLBPA from 2020 to 2024, with Department of Labor filings showing $44.5 million in 2024 alone. The MLBPA promises full cooperation with law enforcement, but this situation raises deep concerns about the union’s leadership, particularly with collective bargaining talks approaching in 2026.
DOJ Launches Investigation into MLBPA Leadership
Federal authorities have launched a formal investigation into the Major League Baseball Players Association leadership about potential financial improprieties. FBI agents recently contacted multiple MLB players and reached out to at least three players in union leadership positions [1]. These players are not targets of the investigation themselves [1].
The Eastern District of New York’s federal investigators analyzed the relationship between the MLB Players Association and OneTeam Partners, a group-licensing firm co-founded by baseball and football players’ unions [2]. Their investigation appears to stem from an anonymous National Labor Relations Board complaint filed in late 2024. The complaint alleged that Tony Clark “improperly gave himself & other executives equity” in the licensing company [1].
The MLBPA responded to the federal probe by stating: “In close coordination with the players, MLBPA has hired outside counsel at Morrison & Foerster to respond to an investigation conducted by the Department of Justice” [3]. Tony Clark took steps to secure separate legal representation through Daniel Collins of Katten Muchin Rosenman [2].
This investigation’s timing raises eyebrows as it follows internal questions about Clark’s leadership that shook the union less than 18 months ago [3]. The union leadership finds itself in turmoil for the second time in two years [3].
OneTeam released an official statement: “We are aware of an ongoing investigation of allegations concerning our partners. We want to emphasize that OneTeam is not the subject of the investigation and has not been accused of any wrongdoing in any way” [3].
The NFL Players Association conducted its own review of the OneTeam relationship. The NFLPA hired global law firm Linklaters in December to analyze potential concerns, including questions about equity distribution [3]. Both major sports unions are treating these financial governance problems seriously.
Tony Clark and MLBPA Hire Separate Legal Teams
The federal probe has taken a serious turn as Tony Clark and the MLBPA have chosen to secure independent legal representation. Their decision to hire separate counsel instead of shared representation raises questions about potential conflicts of interest between the union’s executive director and the organization itself.
Clark has chosen Daniel J. Collins from Katten, Muchin and Rosenman as his personal legal counsel during the investigation [3]. Collins brings experience as a former Federal Prosecutor who “regularly defends clients in investigations conducted by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other government agencies.” He declined to comment when reporters reached out [2].
The MLBPA released a statement outlining their legal approach: “In close coordination Owith the players, MLBPA has hired outside counsel at Morrison & Foerster to respond to an investigation conducted by the Department of Justice” [3]. Player leadership has also secured their own legal counsel separate from the union [1].
Legal experts view this separation of representation as both wise and telling. Standard practice dictates separate counsel when allegations might create conflicts between an organization and its leadership. So if the whistleblower’s claims turn out to be true, Clark’s interests could substantially differ from the union he leads.
The investigation stems from an NLRB complaint that claimed Clark “improperly gave himself & other executives equity” in OneTeam and made “inadequate disclosures” about the partnership in annual union filings [1]. The union maintains these allegations are “baseless” [2].
This legal situation creates additional pressure for Clark, who has guided the MLBPA since 2013 after spending 15 seasons as a player [1]. The split in legal teams comes at a difficult time – less than 18 months after his leadership first faced internal challenges [3].
Clark and the MLBPA have committed to full cooperation with investigators. Their separate legal strategies, however, suggest they’re preparing for any outcome as the federal probe gains momentum.
Whistleblower Complaint Alleges Equity Misuse and Nepotism
A federal investigation started after an anonymous whistleblower filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in late 2024 [1]. The complaint revealed serious allegations against Tony Clark and the MLBPA leadership that pointed to “nepotism, corruption, mismanagement” within the organization [1].
The allegations center on Clark’s actions with OneTeam Partners. The complaint states that Clark “improperly gave himself & other executives equity” and made “inadequate disclosures” about the partnership in annual union filings [1]. Clark serves on OneTeam’s board and received about $3.5 million from the MLBPA in 2024 [4].
The whistleblower highlighted five main areas of alleged misconduct:
- Self-Dealing/Conflict of Interest: The complaint points to insufficient disclosures about OneTeam in the MLBPA’s annual reports [5]
- Nepotism: According to the complaint, “Clark’s daughter was employed by an MLBPA-controlled entity and later forced to resign. Clark also arranged for another daughter to be hired at another labor union using his influence, & Clark improperly hired a family member as an MLBPA real estate agent paid an unnecessary commission” [5]
- Misuse of Union Resources: The union spent too much on “new offices in Arizona & Dominican Republic” and “sent large delegations to Australia and Las Vegas for non-baseball business” [5]
- Questionable Financial Transfers: Money flowed through “an opaque donor-advised fund and made a $1.5 million USD donation used to fund, in part Clark’s daughter’s org” [5]
Awful Announcing first broke the story. They reported that “MLBPA is cracking down on sports agencies it regulates,” yet the union and “Clark-owned OTP does this very thing” with “Tony and other MLBPA employees… personally profiting from the crackdown” [6].
The MLBPA strongly denies these accusations, calling the claims against Clark “baseless” [2]. The federal investigation will show if these serious accusations hold any truth.
Federal Probe Could Impact Upcoming CBA Negotiations
The federal investigation into Tony Clark and the MLBPA comes at an important time as collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations approach. The current labor agreement will end after the 2026 season. This leaves less than 18 months before what many industry insiders expect to be difficult discussions [3].
The timing creates challenges for the union. Clark has led two rounds of collective bargaining negotiations since becoming the head of the Players Association in 2013. He was set to lead negotiations again [7]. The federal probe now raises questions about leadership stability before these vital talks begin.
Money matters are substantial here. The MLBPA now holds over $353 million in total assets—the highest fiscal-year-end figure ever recorded [1]. The union achieved this strong financial standing through OneTeam’s payments of nearly $160 million between 2020 and 2024 [1].
The union has prepared for possible labor disputes. They’ve built their reserves by “withholding licensing checks from players to maintain a fund from which to pay them in the event of a strike” [3]. This careful financial planning shows their worry about potential work stoppages.
The biggest problem remains the spending gaps between small and large-market teams. The numbers tell the story—the Los Angeles Dodgers have built an estimated $379 million payroll while the Miami Marlins operate with just $31.35 million [8]. These differences have made salary caps a leading topic for discussion as a possible solution.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred made his stance clear. He stated that a lockout would be “a good thing for the sport” and compared it to “using a .22 [caliber firearm], as opposed to a shotgun or a nuclear weapon” [8]. Clark responded that several teams already use the luxury tax threshold as an unofficial salary cap.
The union faces its second major internal crisis in two years. This affects their bargaining position in ways nobody can predict [3]. The already complex negotiations might become even more complicated as questions arise about the union’s leadership integrity.
Conclusion
The federal investigation stands as one of baseball union’s toughest challenges in recent years. Tony Clark faces serious allegations that go right to the core of union leadership – from questionable equity distribution to nepotism and financial mismanagement. The Department of Justice sees enough merit to launch a formal probe, even though Clark calls these claims “baseless.”
The DOJ has reached out to several MLB players who hold union leadership roles. The MLBPA and Clark now have separate legal teams, which points to possible conflicts of interest as the probe moves forward. Clark’s choice of Daniel Collins, who previously worked as a federal prosecutor specializing in government investigations, shows he’s gearing up for a tough legal fight.
Baseball players couldn’t face worse timing. The union’s bargaining power might take a hit with these leadership issues, just as collective bargaining talks loom in 2026. The MLBPA holds $353 million in assets, with OneTeam contributing $160 million between 2020-2024. Any questions about these financial deals could put the union’s strategic reserves at risk.
Baseball’s future sits at a crossroads. Commissioner Rob Manfred positions himself for tough negotiations ahead. The problems are systemic, as shown by team payroll gaps – the Dodgers spend $379 million while the Marlins operate on just $31.35 million. This investigation’s results will shape not just Clark’s future but also MLB’s labor relations for years ahead.
References
[1] – https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45394094/fbi-probes-finances-mlbpa-partnership
[2] – https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6401524/2025/06/03/tony-clark-mlbpa-lawyers-federal-probe/
[3] – https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/06/04/tony-clark-mlbpa-investigation/
[4] – https://www.newsbreak.com/pro-football-sports-network-299253692/4034980741899-insider-drops-new-bombshell-in-fbi-probe-into-mlbpa-and-nflpa-s-controversial-financial-dealings
[5] – https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/whistleblower-mlbpa-charge-tony-clark-nlrb.html
[6] – https://frontofficesports.com/nflpa-corruption-investigation-oneteam-unions-licensing/
[7] – https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mlbpa_tony_clark_hire_counsel_amid_federal_investigation/s1_13237_42286602
[8] – https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/mlb-players-union-expects-lockout-by-team-owners-after-cba-expires-following-2026-season-211742786.html
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