Key Takeaways<\/p>\n
Federal Probe Targets Union-Owned Youth Baseball Venture<\/p>\n
Federal law enforcement is investigating Players Way, a Florida-based youth baseball company owned by the Major League Baseball Players Association. According to ESPN reporting published October 30, 2025, the company has spent at least $3.9 million since its 2019 founding. Two sources familiar with union finances who have spoken with investigators place the actual figure closer to $10 million. During this period, Players Way generated barely six figures in revenue.<\/p>\n
The investigation stems from an anonymous whistleblower complaint filed in November 2024 with the National Labor Relations Board. The complaint accused MLBPA executive director Tony Clark of self-dealing, misuse of resources, abuse of power, and nepotism in his dealings with Players Way. Clark, who has not been charged with any crime, founded the company with stated goals of transforming youth baseball and providing an alternative to what he described as exploitative youth sports organizations.<\/p>\n
The MLBPA denied all allegations in the complaint as \u201centirely without merit.\u201d Clark declined to be interviewed for the ESPN story.<\/p>\n
Financial Operations Without Standard Accounting Practices<\/p>\n
Multiple former union officials told ESPN that Players Way operated without standard accounting practices and circulated no annual budgets among senior finance officials. The MLBPA acknowledged to ESPN that Players Way did not have its own budget but was \u201cpart of the overall org budget.\u201d<\/p>\n
One former senior union official described Players Way finances as a \u201cblack box.\u201d<\/p>\n
While public union filings show the MLBPA committed only $83,550 directly to Players Way, nearly all of the $3.9 million the union said the company spent came from Players Inc., the union\u2019s for-profit licensing firm. Like Players Way, Players Inc. finances are not disclosed to the Department of Labor.<\/p>\n
Former union finance officials said the company received far more cash from Players Inc. than publicly acknowledged, including more than $2 million over one 18-month period to fund payroll and other activities. At several points when Players Way needed to cover shortfalls, roughly $1 million in Players Inc. funds was transferred to the company, the sources said.<\/p>\n
The money spent included $1.2 million from 2022 to 2024 provided by Fanatics Inc., an MLBPA licensing partner. As part of its exclusive baseball card licensing deal with the union in 2021, Fanatics agreed to pay $400,000 annually from 2022 to 2024 to support youth baseball initiatives, including Players Way.<\/p>\n
Both former finance officials told ESPN they raised concerns about the Players Inc. transfers with senior leadership but that the transactions continued. One of the finance officials said Clark personally approved the transfers to Players Way, usually in six-figure chunks. \u201cIt was just money going out the door,\u201d the source told ESPN.<\/p>\n
Six-Figure Salaries for Consultants and Executives<\/p>\n
Former officials said Players Way funds largely paid six-figure annual salaries to its executives and consultants. Union documents show Players Way paid consultant Chris Iannetta, a former major league catcher and MLBPA executive subcommittee member, $156,000 in 2024. Consultant Kevin Reynolds received $167,000. D.J. Wabick, a former Triple-A outfielder who joined the MLBPA full-time as director of youth baseball and development in December 2024, was paid $182,623 for his work last year.<\/p>\n
In total, the union said six employees and contractors work at Players Way.<\/p>\n
A former major league player who worked with Players Way said executives in charge seemed to do little while working other full-time jobs. \u201cIt was unclear who was in charge, who was running it,\u201d the former player told ESPN on condition of anonymity. \u201cSomeone needed to be a CEO, but the people in charge said, \u2018I don\u2019t have time.\u2019 But they were all getting paid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Six Clinics and Sparse Event Attendance Over Five Years<\/p>\n
By the union\u2019s own accounting, Players Way held six baseball clinics for kids, four mental skills webinars, and several panel discussions between its 2019 founding and November 2024. Events cost up to $499 to attend for a two-day camp.<\/p>\n
This year, the company hosted a handful of events for teenagers, including camps, competitions, showcases, and a tournament organized with Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung. These events drew fewer than 500 attendees in total. As of late October 2025, Players Way\u2019s website listed seven upcoming events scheduled through March 21, 2026, with fewer than 25 kids signed up total.<\/p>\n
The company\u2019s YouTube channel, relaunched in 2024 after the MLBPA severed its relationship with the United States Specialty Sports Association, had one subscriber as of this week. One video featuring Iannetta had been viewed approximately 200 times. Two other videos had a combined 28 views.<\/p>\n
A former union finance official told ESPN that total company revenues over five years \u201cbarely hit six figures.\u201d The company has canceled nearly as many events as it has held. \u201cPlayers Way was a bad investment,\u201d the former official said. \u201cThey just kept throwing money at it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Inside the MLBPA, employees questioned the company\u2019s purpose and apparent lack of a business plan despite Players Way having \u201ca voracious appetite for cash that seemed to just waste money year after year,\u201d a former employee told ESPN.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had no events, we had no activities, we are not publicizing, we are not partnering with other youth groups,\u201d one former official said. \u201cThere was no clear goal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nepotism Allegations Include Executive Director\u2019s Daughter<\/p>\n
The whistleblower complaint alleged that one of Clark\u2019s daughters was employed by Players Way, identified in the complaint as \u201can MLBPA-controlled entity.\u201d According to union documents, she worked for five months and was paid $13,300 by the union as a consultant to Players Way. The daughter resigned in March 2024 after union employees critical of Clark raised her employment as an issue, multiple sources said.<\/p>\n
The complaint also alleged that Clark \u201carranged for another daughter to be hired at another labor union using his influence.\u201d That daughter has worked as membership services coordinator for the NFL Players Association since October 2022.<\/p>\n
The whistleblower also alleged that Clark \u201cimproperly hired a family member as an MLBPA real estate agent and paid an unnecessary commission.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sources with knowledge of the ongoing federal probe said investigators have inquired about circumstances around the union\u2019s securing of a satellite office in Scottsdale, Arizona, that Clark uses regularly and a new office space in midtown Manhattan.<\/p>\n
Company Headquarters Listed as UPS Store Mailbox<\/p>\n
Players Way lists its headquarters at 13506 Summerport Village Parkway, Suite 226, in Windermere, Florida, about 20 miles west of Orlando. The address is in a strip mall flanked by a liquor store and a hair salon. The \u201csuite\u201d is not a suite at all. It\u2019s a mailbox at a UPS Store where an employee confirmed to ESPN that Box 226 is registered to Players Way LLC.<\/p>\n
Player Reactions and Union Defense of Spending<\/p>\n
One player leader, when asked about the Players Way expenditures, told ESPN, \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter how much we\u2019ve made. Waste is waste. And given the level of frustration we\u2019ve had with [union leadership] about this sort of stuff, it\u2019s going to come up. Whenever Players Way is mentioned, we all just nod along. But I don\u2019t think any of us realized it cost as much as it did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another former official called Players Way a \u201ctotal waste of money.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former union officials interviewed by ESPN said that Players Way appeared to be a landing spot for Clark\u2019s loyalists. One said, \u201cFew players knew anything about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his statement to ESPN, Clark said Players Way\u2019s mission has been \u201cto empower tomorrow\u2019s generation of players by providing access to the knowledge, experience, and talents of the best our game has to offer.\u201d He added that \u201cany suggestion that Players Way has not been supported by our elected Player representatives and broader membership is patently false,\u201d noting the company has been discussed at every annual MLBPA Executive Board meeting in recent years.<\/p>\n
Clark said the goal \u201cisn\u2019t to become just another cog in the youth sports machinery, putting profits over players. It aims higher: to meet players where they are, teach the game the right way, and to foster lifelong lessons creating lifelong fans.\u201d<\/p>\n
A union official told ESPN the rollout of Players Way was intentionally slow \u201cbecause to figure out our rightful position within the industry without fragmenting it and without driving up more costs takes time and thoughtfulness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Background on Players Way Formation and USSSA Partnership<\/p>\n
The MLBPA partnered with USSSA in 2018 to provide an alternative to existing youth baseball organizations. Players Way was officially founded a year later. Clark said at the time that he wanted to address high costs, long weekends, and lack of regard for young pitchers\u2019 arms that characterized youth baseball. His son was involved in travel baseball when the initiative launched.<\/p>\n
Clark introduced Players Way publicly in June 2020 with a video posted on YouTube. A former official told ESPN that Clark viewed the initiative as an essential part of his plan to tap retired major leaguers to shape the next generation of baseball players. \u201cPlayers Way was something he always brought up,\u201d the former official said. \u201cIt was very important to Tony. It was not anything anyone paid attention to in how it was operated.\u201d<\/p>\n
The union\u2019s relationship with USSSA ended after summer 2023, when two former USSSA employees filed a federal whistleblower lawsuit alleging that a top association official was running an illegal bookmaking operation.<\/p>\n
In recent months, as former union finance officials answered questions for investigators, MLBPA executives increased the Players Way slate of events and sent out promotional messages about the company\u2019s future to player leaders. During Labor Day weekend, Clark and Wabick met in Chicago and hosted a videoconference with other Players Way consultants to discuss strategy, the union told ESPN.<\/p>\n
via: ESPN<\/a><\/p>\n AP Photo\/Richard Drew, File<\/p>\n YSBR provides this content on an \u201cas is\u201d basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.<\/strong><\/p>\n About Youth Sports Business Report<\/strong><\/p>\n Youth Sports Business Report<\/strong><\/a> is the largest and most trusted source<\/strong> for youth sports industry news<\/strong>, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market<\/strong>. Trusted by over 50,000 followers<\/strong> including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals<\/strong>, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Our core mission: Make Youth Sports Better<\/strong>. As the leading authority<\/strong> in youth sports business reporting<\/strong>, we deliver unparalleled coverage of sports business trends<\/strong>, youth athletics<\/strong>, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Our expert editorial team provides authoritative, in-depth reporting on key youth sports industry<\/strong> verticals including:<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re a sports industry executive<\/strong>, institutional investor, youth sports<\/strong> parent, coach, or sports business<\/strong> enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report<\/strong> is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights<\/strong> you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends<\/strong> and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Join our growing community of 50,000+ industry leaders<\/strong> who depend on our trusted youth sports business analysis<\/strong> to drive success in the youth sports industry<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Stay connected with the pulse of the youth sports business<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 where industry expertise meets actionable intelligence.<\/p>\n Sign up for the biggest newsletter in Youth Sports \u2013 Youth Sports HQ<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 The best youth sports newsletter in the industry\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n