Hall of Famer John Smoltz has voiced sharp concern that a looming lockout could derail baseball at a moment when the sport is enjoying unprecedented growth. With the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire after the 2026 season, negotiations between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have entered a critical phase.
The proposals on the table
The league’s latest offer introduces a salary floor alongside a hard salary cap, aiming to curb spending disparities among teams. The players’ union, however, has rejected any spending cap, arguing that such a mechanism would unduly restrict free agency and hurt competitive balance.
Smoltz questions whether the proposed systems will truly address the competitive imbalance that has long plagued the game. "We keep hearing about fixes, but the reality is more complex," he said, pointing to the recent surge in viewership as evidence that the sport’s appeal remains strong.
A sport on the rise
Baseball’s popularity has surged, with overall viewership up 44 percent compared to the 2025 season. The climax of that growth was on display when Game 7 of the 2025 World Series attracted an average of 51 million viewers across the United States, Canada, and Japan, underscoring the game’s expanding national and international footprint.
For Smoltz, the stakes are personal and professional. As a longtime advocate for the sport’s integrity, he stresses that a work stoppage would not only disrupt the momentum but also risk alienating the new wave of fans who have recently embraced baseball.
Both sides have indicated a willingness to continue talks, but the clock is ticking. With the CBA’s expiration looming, the resolution of these negotiations will likely shape the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball for years to come.