MLBPA executive director Tony Clark is expected to resign: Sources

In a stunning development on the eve of a lengthy labor battle this coming winter, Tony Clark is expected to announce his resignation as executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, people who were briefed on the decision who were not authorized to speak publicly told The Athletic.

Clark, his attorney and the MLBPA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Clark and the MLBPA were supposed to start its annual tour of spring training in Arizona on Tuesday. The first stop, a meeting with the Cleveland Guardians, was canceled.

Clark, 53, has headed the union since 2013. Clark and the union have been under federal investigation since last year by the Eastern District of New York regarding using licensing money or equity to enrich themselves.

The resignation occurs at a time of heightened rhetoric as the owners are expected to lock out the players at the conclusion of this season when the current collective bargaining agreement expires. The owners executed the same tactic after the 2021 season, which shut down the sport for 99 days. The upcoming negotiation could last longer, as owners have become vocal about the necessity for a salary cap, as sports like the NFL, NBA and NHL use, in the wake of rampant spending by teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.

Clark oversaw the negotiations for this current CBA alongside deputy director Bruce Meyer. Both are strongly opposed to a cap, which the union believes would not help competitive balance in the sport.

This is a developing story and will be updated.