[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 2 (Thursday, January 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E51-E52]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        MAKE PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL SUBJECT TO THE ANTITRUST LAWS

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                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, the game of baseball has provided 
Americans of all ages with a source of entertainment since the first 
professional game was played in 1869. It truly is the American past-
time. But in recent years ugly labor disputes have tarnished the game 
and hurt baseball fans. One of the reasons why the players have felt 
compelled to go on strike--including the present strike action--is that 
the baseball owners are exempt from U.S. antitrust laws.
  As a former athlete from the University of Pittsburgh, and a staunch 
supporter of all working people, I believe that this is a detriment to 
the great game of baseball. The antitrust exemption has denied the 
players the same bargaining tools and leverage currently enjoyed by 
other professional athletes. While I won't even attempt to characterize 
athletes whose average salary is well over $500,000 a year as victims, 
they should be afforded the same rights and bargaining opportunities as 
other professional athletes.
  Clearly, the American people aren't concerned with the details of the 
dispute. They don't care about salary caps, free agency or arbitration. 
All they want is for the bickering and posturing to end, and for the 
umpires to yell ``Play Ball!'' Since the players went on strike last 
August, all efforts to mediate the dispute have failed. Clearly, the 
owners have indicated that they no longer have the best interests of 
baseball in mind and they have lost the trust Congress placed in them 
back in 1922 when they moved to exempt Major League Baseball from U.S. 
anti-trust laws. Removing this exemption may be the only way to end the 
strike and save the 1995 season.
  That's why today I am introducing the Professional Baseball Antitrust 
Reform Act of 1995. This bill provides that professional baseball teams 
and leagues composed of such teams shall be subject to all antitrust 
laws. The bill also states that the Congress finds the business of 
organized professional baseball is in, or affects interstate commerce, 
and therefore the existing antitrust laws should be amended to reverse 
the result of the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, 
which exempted baseball from coverage under those laws.
  In introducing this legislation, I am not professing to take sides in 
the dispute. I believe both parties share some of the blame for the 
sorry state of the game of baseball. My desire is to force the union 
and the owners to sit down, negotiate in good faith, and come to an 
agreement that both sides can live with. Professional football and 
basketball are both subject to U.S. anti-trust laws. Interestingly 
enough, both sports are doing extremely well financially, both sports 
have salary caps--and 
[[Page E52]] player income has never been higher. Professional baseball 
players and owners should stop posturing and take a look at basketball 
and football (it's not hard to do--with the National Hockey League 
owners locking the players out there's not much else for them to 
watch).
  Owners take heed: enactment of my legislation won't bankrupt the game 
nor would it prevent you from imposing a salary cap. Players: don't 
think that this bill will be a panacea for all your problems. Bargain 
in good faith and remember that most Americans would give their right 
arm to be a bench warmer for a Major League team and earn $150,000 for 
6 months work. Think about it.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to co-sponsor the 
Professional Baseball Antitrust Reform Act of 1995.


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