Insights
Sid Steinberg Examines Minor League Baseball Players' FLSA/Wage and Hour Class Action for The Legal Intelligencer
In his November 2015 column for The Legal Intelligencer, Employment & Employee Relations Chair Sidney R. Steinberg looks at the decision in Senne v. Kansas City Royals Baseball, that granted conditional certification to a class of all minor-league players who worked for Major League Baseball since February 2011 but who had not spent any time in the major leagues.
Mr. Steinberg writes:
"The allegations are... that most of the (roughly 6,000) minor-league players gross only $3,000 to $7,500 over their five-month season, which is the only time during the year that they are paid. Although they work between 50 and 70 hours per week, arriving in the early afternoon and leaving sometimes as late as 11 p.m., with extensive work-related travel, they are not paid overtime, the plaintiffs alleged. Further, according to the complaint, the players work year round, including mandatory attendance at spring training, instructional leagues and winter baseball. Plus, the players are expected to follow team-prescribed exercise regimens during the off-season without any compensation."
He also notes:
"While it seems unlikely that we will see time clocks next to batting cages at minor-league parks across America, the case bears watching for either its
settlement or for a long-term impact on the business of minor-league baseball."
