The Darkside of Baseball

The Inside Story of Major League Baseball: Ownership, Red Tape, and the Global Game They Don’t Want You to Know About

Baseball has long been known as “America’s pastime,” but behind the iconic stadiums, home run derbies, and beloved teams, Major League Baseball (MLB) is a highly controlled industry with layers of red tape and gatekeeping that most fans never see. From franchise ownership to player contracts and the global reach of the league, there’s a lot going on that might surprise you. In fact, if MLB’s leadership team were reading this, they might not be too happy about what you’re about to learn.

A Brief History of MLB: From Origins to Today

The roots of Major League Baseball date back to 1869 when the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first professional baseball team. By 1903, the National League and the American League merged, creating the MLB we know today. Since then, the league has evolved into a $10 billion powerhouse, broadcasting games worldwide and filling stadiums across the U.S. for over 100 years.

But MLB is more than just sports. It’s big business—very big business. Owning an MLB team means entering one of the most exclusive clubs in the world, and getting in is no small feat.

The Owners: A Club for the Elite

MLB team ownership is a billionaire’s game. Many of the current owners have held onto their teams for decades, passing them down through family generations. For example:

        • The Steinbrenner Family has owned the New York Yankees since 1973. George Steinbrenner famously bought the team for just $8.8 million, and now, the Yankees are valued at over $7 billion, making them the most valuable MLB franchise.
        • The Ricketts Family purchased the Chicago Cubs in 2009 for around $845 million. Their ownership marked the end of a century-long championship drought, as the Cubs won the World Series in 2016.
        • The Wilpon Family owned the New York Mets for over two decades before selling the team to hedge fund manager Steve Cohen in 2020 for $2.4 billion, a record-setting price.

These owners have held onto their teams through thick and thin, and if you want to buy an MLB franchise today, good luck. Most teams don’t hit the market often, and when they do, the price tags are staggering.

Buying an MLB Franchise: Good Luck

Want to buy an MLB team? Be ready to navigate layers of red tape. The process of buying a franchise isn’t as simple as having billions in the bank. New buyers must be vetted and approved by a majority of current owners. MLB is essentially a private club, and they don’t let just anyone in.

Adding a new franchise to the league is even more difficult. Expansion talk comes up every few years, but the existing owners often resist the idea because it dilutes their revenue share. Right now, the MLB is sitting at 30 teams, and any expansion would require the approval of 75% of owners. And, of course, it comes with a hefty fee—a new franchise could easily cost over $2 billion just to get started.

Minor League Contracts: The Dark Side of Baseball

While MLB players rake in millions, life in the Minor Leagues is a different story. Minor leaguers are the backbone of the baseball pipeline, working hard in the hopes of making it to “The Show.” But the pay? Absolutely shocking.

Most minor league players make around $500 to $700 per week during the season, meaning many live below the poverty line. They don’t get paid during the off-season, and their contracts often prevent them from pursuing other jobs. Some live with host families or cram multiple teammates into tiny apartments just to get by.

Despite years of complaints, MLB’s leadership has been slow to change these conditions. Recently, the league raised minor league pay by 38-72%, but the average salary is still far below what most people imagine for professional athletes.

A Global Game: International Players and the Impact on MLB

While baseball is often seen as an American sport, international players play a huge role in Major League Baseball. In 2023, more than 28% of MLB players were born outside of the United States, coming from countries like the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Japan, Cuba, Mexico, and South Korea.

The Dominican Republic, in particular, has become a baseball hotbed. Players like David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez, and Vladimir Guerrero Sr. have all come from the Dominican, and many MLB teams have training academies there to scout young talent. Venezuela is another key player pipeline, with stars like Miguel Cabrera and Jose Altuve.

But here’s where things get interesting—and controversial. While the MLB profits greatly from international talent, these players often come from poverty and sign contracts at a young age, usually before their 18th birthdays. These contracts can be far lower than those signed by U.S.-born players, creating an economic imbalance.

Player Salaries: U.S.-Born vs. Foreign Players

MLB salaries vary widely, but the gap between U.S.-born players and international players is a hot topic. U.S. players, especially those who come through the college draft system, typically sign for millions once they reach the majors. For example, Bryce Harper signed a $330 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, while Mike Trout signed a record $426.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

But for many foreign-born players, the journey to the big leagues often involves signing low-paying contracts as teenagers, sometimes for as little as $100,000 to $500,000. While these contracts might seem substantial at first, they’re significantly less than what U.S.-born players often receive through the draft. The disparity in pay between U.S.-born and international players is an issue that MLB leadership rarely addresses, despite the fact that these foreign players are responsible for some of the league’s biggest moments.

Red Tape, Big Money, and Global Influence: The MLB You Don’t Know

MLB’s leadership team may not want you to look behind the curtain, but the truth is, Major League Baseball is more than just the game on the field. It’s a multibillion-dollar industry built on exclusivity, financial inequality, and a global reach that profits off of both local talent and international stars.

So, next time you’re watching a game, remember the complicated, and sometimes unfair, world that happens behind the scenes. From the billionaire owners to the underpaid minor leaguers, there’s much more to baseball than meets the eye. The question is—how long will the MLB be able to maintain the status quo?

And if you want real change, maybe it’s time to start asking some hard questions. Should international players be paid more fairly? Should minor league players be compensated in a way that reflects the wealth of the league? Should franchise ownership be opened up to more diverse investors? These are the conversations the MLB leadership doesn’t want you to have—but maybe it’s time we start.

Baseball may be America’s pastime, but it’s time for a new chapter where transparency and fairness play a bigger role in shaping the future of the game.