Major League Baseball (MLB) has agreed to enter into a $185 million settlement with minor league players who had accused the league of violating federal laws on minimum wage and overtime pay.
Around $120 million of the agreed amount will go to thousands of minor leaguers, while the rest accounted for legal fees.
Minor Leaguers to Receive Compensation for Spring Training
Under the terms of the settlement, minor leaguers will now be paid by their respective teams when they take part in spring training, extended spring training, and instructional leagues in Arizona and Florida, which were previously considered by the MLB as “seasonal” work.
The class action lawsuit was filed in February 2014 by 43 retired minor league players, including Aaron Senne of the Miami Marlins. MLB attempted to have the suit dismissed in October 2020 but was unsuccessful after the US Supreme Court sided with the complainants.
Monumental Step
The lawyer representing the plaintiffs, Garrett Broshuis, said the $185 million settlement is a “monumental step” in attaining a fair and just compensation system for minor leaguers.
The MLB declined to release further details on the settlement but said the league was pleased to come to a mutually agreeable resolution with the players.