Major League Baseball has proposed pushing back the start date for a salary cap system until 2028 during ongoing collective bargaining talks with the players' association, according to a report by the Associated Press.
The proposal represents a significant shift in the league's approach to competitive balance measures, which have long been a point of contention between owners and players. MLB currently operates without a hard salary cap, instead using a competitive balance tax threshold that penalizes high-spending teams.
Details of the broader negotiation framework were not immediately disclosed. The players' union has historically opposed a hard salary cap, viewing it as a restriction on player earnings and free agency movement.
The 2028 target date would align with the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement, which runs through the 2026 season. Both sides are expected to continue discussions on economic structures, revenue sharing, and competitive balance mechanisms in the coming months.
