Bill Overview
Title: Save American Baseball Act
Description: This bill removes the limited exemption from the antitrust laws for persons in the business of organized professional baseball. For purposes of this bill, the term antitrust laws means laws to protect against unlawful restraints and monopolies (Clayton Act) and to protect against unfair methods of competition (Federal Trade Commission Act).
Sponsors: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Target Audience
Population: People interested in or working with organized professional baseball
Estimated Size: 35000000
- The Save American Baseball Act specifically targets the organized professional baseball industry, which is a part of the sports and entertainment sector and has various stakeholders including players, teams, leagues, and associated businesses.
- The removal of the antitrust exemption could lead to significant changes in how professional baseball operates, possibly affecting team ownership, player contracts, broadcasting rights, and the overall competitive landscape of the sport.
- Professional baseball is popular in many countries, including the U.S., Japan, and Latin American countries. However, Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States is the most prominent league affected by this legislation because it is American.
- The global audience of baseball, which includes spectators, television viewers, and fans, may also experience changes in how games are broadcasted and administered.
Reasoning
- The Save American Baseball Act could notably affect only those directly involved or heavily invested in the sport, given its focus on antitrust laws. This suggests a significant though somewhat contained impact, specific to the sports community.
- The $1,000,000 budget for year 1 implies a limited scale of implementation initially, focusing on legal and administrative aspects rather than broader economic changes.
- Over 10 years, with $10,000,000 budgeted, the policy's primary long-term effects might be felt through new competitive structures, potential impacts on player contracts and wages, and possibly improved diversity and innovation within leagues.
Simulated Interviews
Sports Lawyer (New York, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe that the removal of the antitrust exemption will open up more opportunities for players and smaller teams.
- In the short term, there might be legal chaos, but long term, it could foster a more equitable playing environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Baseball Team Owner (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act could level the playing field, allowing smaller teams like mine to compete more fairly with larger franchises.
- I'm concerned about short-term financial instability as the market adjusts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Independent Sports Journalist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited to see how this change might affect team strategies and league policies.
- A major concern is how media rights and viewership might be impacted.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Baseball Historian (Boston, MA)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be one of the most significant shifts in baseball history since integration.
- I'm optimistic about more diversity and fairness entering the sport, although it will require careful management.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
MLB Player (Dallas, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Removing the antitrust exemption could improve conditions for players, especially for minorities.
- Concerned about potential short-term contract uncertainties.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Sports Merchandise Retailer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Changes in team dynamics could either hurt or help merchandise sales.
- I'm especially worried that supply chains and agreements might be disrupted temporarily.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Baseball Fan (Tampa, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried this could make ticket prices skyrocket or change broadcasting, affecting my ability to enjoy the sport.
- Hopefully, it levels the playing field for different teams, making the games more exciting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Economist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy marks an important point in re-evaluating sports leagues' economics.
- Could lead to more dynamic markets and potentially lower costs for consumers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Minor League Player (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could finally be a game-changer for us in the minors.
- Long-term job security might improve if smaller leagues gain prominence.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Local Baseball League Manager (Miami, FL)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Changes at the top professional level might trickle down and impact local leagues.
- Might be harder initially, but could result in more support and resources over time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2000000)
Year 2: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2000000)
Year 3: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2000000)
Year 5: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2000000)
Year 10: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2000000)
Year 100: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2000000)
Key Considerations
- Monitoring and enforcement capabilities of the FTC will need assessing and possibly expanding.
- Potential legal challenges from players, teams, or other associated entities could emerge.
- Impact on broadcasting contracts and sponsorship deals as the competition landscape changes.