Tony Clark resigned abruptly this week as the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association after allegations of personal misconduct came to light. Clark led the union in the last two rounds of collective bargaining and was expected to lead the players in another contentious CBA negotiation following the 2026 season.

The allegations remain under federal investigation, meaning that player leaders determined Clark could have been a liability on at least two fronts as players and owners head toward what is expected to be the most contentious collective bargaining in the sport in 31 years.

Clark's decision took place during an investigation by the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn, New York, into OneTeam Partners, a licensing company founded by the union, the NFL Players Association and RedBird Capital Partners in 2019.

Tony Clark resigned as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, the union announced Tuesday, as a possible salary cap fight looms during a federal investigation of its finances. “The full executive board of player representatives met this afternoon with MLBPA staff and outside counsel to discuss next steps,

MLBPA executive director Tony Clark resigned Tuesday, leaving the union without its longtime leader less than a year before the expiration of MLB's collective bargaining agreement, sources told ESPN.

MLBPA executive director Tony Clark resigned from his position Tuesday, mere months before the start of a potential lockout.

The decision was made ahead of an expected start of collective bargaining in April for an agreement to replace the five-year labor contract that expires Dec. 1.

Chicago Cubs and White Sox players echoed the sentiment that the union’s strength doesn’t come from one person but rather the totality of the players.