MLB Players Union Executive Director Resigns Ahead of Labor Talks

Tony Clark steps down from his role leading the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Major League Baseball's impending labor battle took an unexpected turn this week as Tony Clark, the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, suddenly resigned from his position. The resignation comes ahead of critical labor negotiations between the players' union and team owners.

Why it matters

Clark's resignation is a significant development in the ongoing labor dispute between MLB players and team owners. As the head of the players' union, Clark has been a central figure in these negotiations, and his departure could have major implications for how the talks unfold.

The details

Clark had served as the executive director of the MLBPA since 2013. His resignation comes as the players' union and team owners prepare to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement, with the current deal set to expire at the end of the 2026 season.

  • On Tuesday, February 18, 2026, Tony Clark announced his resignation as executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association.

The players

Tony Clark

The former executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, who resigned from his position ahead of critical labor negotiations between players and team owners.

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What they’re saying

“Just on a personal level, I think we're all fairly devastated by things that have happened the last 48, 72, hours”

— Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants pitcher (The Mercury News)

What’s next

The MLBPA will need to appoint a new executive director to lead the union's negotiations with team owners over a new collective bargaining agreement. The outcome of these talks will have significant implications for the future of professional baseball.

The takeaway

Clark's resignation comes at a critical juncture for the MLB labor landscape, as players and owners prepare to negotiate a new CBA. The union's leadership transition could shape the tone and direction of these high-stakes negotiations in the months ahead.