Bruce Meyer has been promoted to interim executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) following Tony Clark's forced resignation on Tuesday. Clark stepped down after an investigation uncovered evidence of an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who has been a union employee since 2023.
Clark, a former All-Star first baseman, had led the MLBPA since 2013. His resignation comes just months before the expected start of contentious collective bargaining with team owners, as the current labour deal expires on 1 December.
According to a person familiar with the union's deliberations, the relationship was discovered during a federal investigation into the union's finances and governance. Meyer stated, 'The information that really led to this came out within the last ... 72 hours or so. When the information came out, the players on the subcommittee made their feelings known. And Tony, to his credit, he’s always been about the players first and Tony decided to take the action he did in the interest of the players.'
Meyer, a 64-year-old veteran labour lawyer, joined the MLBPA in 2018 and led negotiations through a 99-day lockout that led to a five-year agreement in March 2022. He previously worked at the NHL Players Association and spent 30 years at Weil, Gotshal & Manges. Matt Nussbaum has been promoted from general counsel to interim deputy executive director to assist Meyer.
Meyer emphasised that the union's priorities remain unchanged, particularly in opposing a salary cap. 'Our position and the historic position of this union for decades on a salary cap is well known. It’s the ultimate restriction,' he said. Meyer declined to comment on whether the union would restrict hiring family members but noted that issues would be evaluated with counsel.
