For more than 100 years, Major League Baseball has operated under a unique antitrust exemption that no other professional sports league enjoys. This exemption allows MLB owners to operate collectively in ways that would otherwise violate federal antitrust laws. It gives them the power to control franchise relocation, block competition, and prioritize ownership interests over the communities and fans that support the game. The recent relocation of the Oakland Athletics is a clear example of why this exemption must be re-examined. For generations, Oakland supported the Athletics through championships, rebuilding years, and everything in between. Instead of working with the city and its fans to secure the team’s future, ownership and the league chose to abandon one of baseball’s most historic communities. When a league operates as a protected monopoly, fans and cities have little recourse. Major League Baseball should not be allowed to make decisions that devastate communities while remaining shielded from the same laws that apply to nearly every other industry in the United States. We call on Congress to: • Hold hearings on Major League Baseball’s antitrust exemption
• Investigate the circumstances surrounding the relocation of the Oakland Athletics
• Consider legislation to repeal or limit MLB’s antitrust exemption Baseball belongs to its fans and communities, not just billionaire owners. If MLB wants to operate like a monopoly, it should be treated like one under the law. It is time for accountability.