The FBI is investigating the player unions of the NFL and MLB over their ties to OneTeam Partners, a licensing company co-founded by the two unions to manage athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights.
The inquiry is focused on whether financial crimes were committed, and it places Tony Clark, executive director of the MLBPA, at the center of the controversy.
The investigation, first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, seeks to determine whether any players or league executives were aware of potentially illicit financial arrangements involving OneTeam Partners.
The company was established to assist players in monetizing their personal brand, but now faces questions over how equity in the firm was distributed to leadership figures.
FBI expands focus amid labor board scrutiny
This marks the second instance in a year where OneTeam Partners has come under formal scrutiny.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) previously filed a complaint alleging that Tony Clark and other executives “improperly gave himself & other executives equity” in the firm.
While those allegations remain unresolved, the FBI probe could carry even greater consequences depending on its findings.
Clark, who became the first former player to lead the MLB Players Association when he took over in 2013, has built a strong reputation among players for advocating labor rights and financial gains.
His leadership has been key in negotiating improved collective bargaining terms and overseeing the association’s expanding revenue streams. However, the equity issues now under examination risk tarnishing that legacy.
In response to these developments, the NFLPA brought in independent legal counsel, led by Richard Smith, in December to conduct an internal review of its own ties to OneTeam Partners. The resulting investigation found no misconduct within the NFL union.
The firm itself also issued a statement, saying it “remains steadfast in our commitment to following the best business practices, as has already been determined by the independent audit conducted earlier this year,” and reaffirmed its “dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency.”
According to ESPN, the FBI has reached out to current players as part of the investigation. All involved parties are said to be cooperating fully with authorities as the inquiry continues.
The MLBPA, for its part, is standing by Clark, stating he has done nothing improper in his tenure as executive director. But until the investigation concludes, the cloud of uncertainty will remain over two of the most powerful labor organizations in American sports.
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