With collective bargaining negotiations set to begin in April, the Major League Baseball Players Association is attempting to steady itself after a sudden leadership shakeup.
The union unanimously appointed Bruce Meyer as interim executive director, a move designed to maintain continuity following Tony Clark‘s resignation amid allegations of an affair involving a union employee identified in reports as his sister-in-law.
While the MLBPA‘s executive board worked behind the scenes to install Meyer and elevate Matt Nussbaum to interim deputy executive director, much of the public attention shifted elsewhere.
On Wednesday’s episode of First Take, ESPN‘s Stephen A. Smith delivered a blunt reaction to the reports surrounding Clark.
“Tony Clark, damn,” Smith said. “This takes sibling rivalry to a new level. You’re a grown damn man! How do you let something like this happen? You’re 53 years old! Of all the people out there, your sister-in-law? Really? Damn. I mean, damn. Come on, y’all. There’s certain things you just don’t do.”
Smith continued, expressing frustration that details about the alleged relationship remain limited to Clark.
“I’m not getting into all the personal stuff, I’m just saying, based on what’s reported, I can’t even think about the collective bargaining negotiations,” he added.
“Really? The sister-in-law? Listen, ain’t nobody trying to absolve Tony Clark because that was just foolhardy, not wise, not smart … but I’m getting sick and tired of not seeing the other people involved. Who is that woman? Does she work in the MLB office? You understand what I’m saying? Because again, if it were the players, we’d see everybody.”
Clark, a former All Star first baseman who played 15 seasons in the majors, had led the union since 2013. According to ESPN, the woman involved was hired by the MLBPA in 2023. Her identity has not been publicly disclosed. Clark and his wife, Frances Clark, share one son.
Meyer steps in as labor talks loom
For the MLBPA, the timing of the transition carries weight. Negotiations with team owners are expected to be contentious, and the union is leaning on Meyer‘s experience to guide it through the next phase.
The 64-year-old labor attorney joined the MLBPA in 2018 after three decades at Weil, Gotshal & Manges and a stint with the NHL Players Association.
He played a central role in navigating the 99-day lockout that concluded with the five-year agreement ratified in March 2022, narrowly avoiding the cancellation of regular season games.
Meyer‘s tenure has not been without internal debate. In March 2024, players Jack Flaherty, Lucas Giolito, and Ian Happ supported an effort led by former union lawyer Harry Marino to remove him from his post.
Clark publicly supported Meyer during that dispute, and the effort ultimately failed. Those players were later removed from the eight-man executive subcommittee in December.
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