The MLB averted a catastrophe by reaching a deal to end the lockout, but other dangers persist.

• Despite reaching a deal with players and saving the full season, several sticking points remain in Major League Baseball.
• The lockout has resulted in an image problem for MLB, and the league missed its "selling season" by traditionally hyping fans for the new year.
• There are concerns about Covid, potential injuries from a slightly more jam-packed season, and whether surging inflation will keep fans from buying tickets.

On Thursday evening, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the return of baseball with a broad grin.

On Thursday, MLB reached a new five-year collective bargaining agreement with the MLB Players Association, resulting in increased minimum salaries and a $50-million bonus pool for young players. In return, owners received an expanded 12-team postseason and jersey patches that generate new revenue.

The MLB will have a full 162-game schedule after the Manfred, and team owners initially threatened to cancel games and not pay players.

According to Manfred, the process of collective bargaining is driven by two key factors: time and economic leverage. No agreement can be reached until these two factors are considered and a common ground is found. He believes that an agreement was reached when it was possible to do so.

Despite the agreement and the full season remaining, MLB's business may have suffered some harm.

MLB teams missed their selling season

Since December 2021, the ninth work stoppage in baseball has occurred, and former MLB executive Marty Conway described the negotiations as a "vicious period" for both the league and players. Conway stated that the league must repair its image, particularly in smaller markets.

The frequent airing of grievances is negatively impacting MLB's image, according to Conway. He explained that baseball is more transparent about its internal operations than the NBA and NFL, which is causing harm.

Georgetown University sports management professor Conway stated that MLB clubs failed to capitalize on their "selling season" by promoting new players, the 2022 schedule, ticket packages, and maintaining engagement with season-ticketholders for renewals.

During the pandemic, MLB stated that 40% of its $10 billion business is linked to attendance, which has been declining over the years. Despite restrictions due to the pandemic, MLB attracted a total of 45.3 million fans last season, a decrease from 68.5 million in the 2019 season. The record high for attendance in MLB was 79.5 million fans in the 2007 season.

The consumer price index increased, Russia started a war in Ukraine, and gas prices surged while MLB was in labor talks. This could negatively impact small-market and non-competitive MLB clubs, as cash-strapped fans may not be able to afford tickets.

The selling season might have helped alleviate this potential problem.

Conway emphasized the importance of the selling season, stating that it is crucial to inform fans about the schedule, ticket prices, and season-ticket packages immediately following the previous season.

He stated that while some markets, such as Los Angeles and New York, may experience a quick bounce, other markets, including Baltimore, Tampa, and Miami, have not been able to capitalize on the selling season during the entire winter.

On Thursday night, MLB apologized to fans.

I understand that the past few months have been challenging. At a time when the world was uncertain, it was like the process of collective bargaining. However, I do apologize for it.

Manfred wants to fix a broken relationship

As a result of Manfred's statement that he's "generally thrilled" MLB settled another labor dispute, the commissioner issued an apology and baseball once again avoided losing revenue under his watch.

On Wednesday evening, the MLB threatened to miss games through April 14 after previously postponing the first two series of the 2022 season, which amounts to approximately 90 games. Manfred then announced that players would not be compensated for the missed games.

Collective bargaining involves managing deadlines, extending them, and determining the right time to set and withdraw them, according to Manfred on Thursday.

Manfred emphasized that making a deal is an essential aspect of the art form.

In response to the question about whether MLB was outsmarted during the lockout, Manfred stated that it's not about who outmaneuvered who. Instead, he emphasized that the only goal is to reach an agreement, which they were able to achieve.

Manfred stated that he would be more attentive to establishing connections with players, some of whom had called for his removal. He then characterized the terms of the agreement, which include raising minimum salaries to $700,000 with annual increases of $20,000, as an "olive branch" to mend the fractured relationship.

Promoting a good relationship with our players is something I'm tasked with, but I haven't been successful in achieving that goal.

Manfred stated that he contacted Tony Clark, the executive director of MLBPA, and conveyed his intention to collaborate with him. He emphasized that this would be a top priority for him in the future to fulfill his commitment.

Player injuries and Covid concerns

The "Field of Dreams" game between the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds could be used by the league to address fan dissatisfaction following the lockout, as suggested by Conway.

The 1989 film starring Kevin Costner inspired MLB to return to Dyersville, Iowa, in a ballpark built next to a cornfield. Last year's Field of Dreams game was a viewership success for Fox, with an average of 5.9 million viewers.

The success of national events, including the 2022 All-Star Game held in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium, will depend on player health.

The lockout reduced spring training to three weeks, leaving players with limited time to prepare for the 162-game season.

Clark expressed concern about player health going into the season due to another shortened spring training, citing MLB's 2020 season when spring training was disrupted by the pandemic.

In 2021, MLB resumed its 162-game schedule after a year when player routines were disrupted by Covid, resulting in an increase in injuries.

In 2021 spring training, Stan Conte, a former MLB head trainer, observed an increase in leg injuries, including hamstrings, among players. Additionally, during the 2020 season, several stars, including the New York Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge, missed time due to leg injuries.

Clark stated on Friday that injuries are always a concern, responding to a CNBC inquiry. He added that MLB players are conditioned year-round, and while they take comfort in this, they remain vigilant about the impact of the schedule and travel on injuries.

The increase in rescheduled games during the regular season, from 39 in 2019 to 54 in 2018 and more than 30 in 2017, could lead to muscle overuse injuries as MLB needs to make up roughly 90 games postponed due to the lockout.

The MLB is considering using doubleheaders to make up most of the games in 2022, but the format is still uncertain. This could potentially add three to five days to the season, which typically ends in early October.

Another issue for MLBPA is unvaccinated players. Since Canada's restrictions prevent unvaccinated individuals from entering the country, players who miss games in Toronto due to their vaccination status will not receive payment and will lose service time.

According to CNBC, MLB revealed that in 2021, 81% of "Tier 1 personnel," including players and staff with access to players, were fully vaccinated.

Player gambling deals part of MLB’s new deal

Revenue streams will increase as MLB works to repair its image and players prioritize injury prevention.

Immediately, MLB can begin using jersey patches and helmet decals for the new uniform sponsorships, which are estimated to be worth $11 million per team, according to Nielsen.

Bruce Meyer, the chief negotiator of the MLBPA, stated that players are now allowed to profit from endorsement deals with sports betting companies.

MLB players were prohibited from endorsing gambling businesses under past collective bargaining agreements. In 1979, Hall of Famer Willie Mays was banned from MLB for accepting a promotional deal with Bally's. The ban was lifted in 1985.

The MLBPA did not provide specific details about the rules of the deals. However, it is likely that the agreements will resemble other arrangements that allow players to use their intellectual property in advertisements featuring non-MLB logos and apparel.