Oakland Athletics To Stop Paying Minor Leaguers, May Need To Furlough Employees

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many professional sport leagues have had to suspend their seasons. Some seasons like Major League Baseball’s didn’t even get off the ground. Since there has been no live sporting events, a lot of leagues have missed out on millions of dollars worth of revenue generated by fans attending games. This has put some pro sports teams in some tough positions and the Oakland Athletics are no exception of this.

On Tuesday, rumors circulated that the Athletics will be furloughing various members of their scouting and professional development staff. It has also been rumored that those staff members who are not furloughed will see pay cuts.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the team has told some of its minor leaguers that they will not continue to pay them after May 31. 

Athletics’ owner John Fisher issued a letter to fans and staff detailing the situation the team is in. “Baseball is more than a job — it is a way of life. People who work for our team are our family — our very foundation — and they work tirelessly to help the A’s compete in this most precious game. COVID-19 has brought a tragic loss of life and sickness to so many in our community, and it has impacted us all in ways we could have never imagined. Our organization, like so many others across the country, has had to make tough and painful decisions.”

The Athletics are not the first team who has been first to furlough some of its employees as the Los Angeles Angels and Miami Marlins have implemented similar measures. 

On Tuesday, MLB sent its first proposal to the MLB Players Association regarding pay for the 2020, which will see significant pay cuts for players. Some players like Rays’ pitcher Blake Snell have already come out and said that they will not play in 2020 on a reduced salary.