The Washington Nationals will pay their baseball operations employees at least through May 31, becoming one of the final Major League Baseball teams to commit to doing so, ESPN reported Thursday.
In a trying time for the league while the coronavirus pandemic puts sports on hold, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced on April 14 that league employees would be paid at least through the end of May. But on Monday, Manfred made a move that allows clubs to “lay off or cut the pay of major and minor league managers, coaches, trainers and full-time scouts starting May 1,” according to The Associated Press.
Twenty-two MLB teams committed to paying baseball ops employees for at least that long before the Nationals joined the crowd this week. The San Diego Padres reportedly will pay their employees through the entire season.
On the other end of the spectrum, ESPN said the Texas Rangers are only committed to doing so through May 15.
Other sports leagues are facing similar difficulties financially. In the NBA, top executives have taken a 20% pay cut, and players have agreed to take a 25% cut beginning on May 15.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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