MLBPA Boss Tony Clark Resigns After Affair With Sister-In-Law

Internal investigation found inappropriate relationship with union employee

Feb. 20, 2026 at 3:47am

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MLBPA executive director Tony Clark has reportedly resigned after an internal investigation found that he had an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who was hired by the union in 2023. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York opened a federal investigation after a whistleblower complaint was filed with the National Labor Relations Board in November 2024, alleging self-dealing, misuse of resources, abuse of power and nepotism.

Why it matters

The MLBPA is the most powerful union in pro sports, and this scandal at the top damages the union's reputation for discipline and unity as it heads into critical labor negotiations with MLB owners. The revelations raise questions about potential conflicts of interest and misuse of union resources.

The details

The complaint alleged that Clark's sister-in-law was hired to work at a large MLBPA office in Arizona, where Clark lives. Investigators are also scrutinizing funds tied to OneTeam Partners, a multibillion-dollar licensing company part-owned by the union, and Players Way, a youth baseball initiative that spent millions but staged only a handful of events. Player leaders saw the news of the relationship as crossing a red line, and members of the executive subcommittee were already uneasy about Clark's future because of the federal investigation.

  • In November 2024, a whistleblower complaint was filed with the National Labor Relations Board.
  • In 2023, the MLBPA hired Clark's sister-in-law to work at a new office in Arizona.

The players

Tony Clark

Former MLBPA executive director who resigned after an internal investigation found he had an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who was hired by the union.

Bruce Meyer

MLBPA deputy executive director who is expected to step in as the new director, though a vote was not finalized as of Tuesday.

Chris Bassitt

New Orioles pitcher and member of the MLBPA's eight-man executive subcommittee, who issued a statement saying the union wants to 'get this right' in selecting a new director.

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What they’re saying

“I feel we have made mistakes in the past by making rushed decisions. The executive subcommittee and all the reps agreed we want to get this right. We don't want to get it done just because there's a void.”

— Chris Bassitt, New Orioles pitcher and MLBPA executive subcommittee member

What’s next

The MLBPA's collective bargaining agreement with MLB expires on December 1, and the union must now find new leadership to guide them through the upcoming labor negotiations.

The takeaway

This scandal at the top of the MLBPA raises serious concerns about potential conflicts of interest and misuse of union resources, damaging the union's reputation for discipline and unity as it heads into critical labor negotiations with MLB owners. The revelations underscore the need for strong, ethical leadership to guide the MLBPA through this pivotal period.