Without antitrust exemption, MLB's ability to govern working conditions for minor leaguers 'may not be possible,' says Rob Manfred

In a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred argued that «it may not be possible» for the league to enforce, establish and maintain better working conditions for minor leaguers if the antitrust exemption is stripped.

Additionally, Manfred said that without the antitrust exemption, it was «more likely» that minor league affiliates would leave their current communities.

«Without coordinated oversight and decision-making by MLB, it is likely that more Minor League affiliates will leave their existing communities for a superior player-development environment, and that fewer — rather than more — Minor League clubs affiliated with MLB clubs will exist in the future,» Manfred wrote.

Manfred's stance on the antitrust exemption has apparently evolved. At the All-Star break, Manfred told reporters that he «can't think of a place where the exemption is meaningful, other than franchise relocation.»

On July 18, the Senate Judiciary Committee, led by Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah asked the league to explain the potential impact of stripping away the league's antitrust exemption on the minor leagues.

In 1922, the Supreme Court ruled that MLB was exempted from the Sherman Antitrust Law of 1890, allowing the league to have an effective monopoly on baseball in the United States.

In a 17-page document, Manfred argued that the league must maintain the current player development system because it already spends $1 billion annually to support the minors, which do not make a profit and are subsidized by MLB teams. This allows teams to provide low ticket prices