Major League Baseball owners unveiled a hard salary cap proposal for the next CBA, the first firm cap offer since the 1994 strike. In a meeting with union officials, owners set a payroll floor of $171.2 million and a ceiling of $245.3 million starting in 2027, covering player benefits just as under the current CBT system.

The plan also calls for a 50/50 split of league revenues between owners and players, with revenue increases pushing both the floor and cap higher over time. A centralized fund would pool all local media revenue, then distribute it equally among all 30 teams, a move aimed at leveling financial disparities.

Under the proposal, 12 teams would need to lift payrolls to hit the floor while eight would have to trim expenses to stay below the ceiling. Current projections flag the Athletics, Rockies, Cardinals, Guardians, White Sox, Pirates, Twins, Brewers, Rays, Marlins, Nationals and Reds among the former group in the current season's standings for 2026.

If the parties fail to agree before the December 1 expiration, owners could lock out players, halting trades and free‑agency deals. The league’s 7‑year term proposal mirrors the NBA’s Larry Bird rule concept, hinting at a phased‑in cap or carve‑outs that might be negotiated later, but the core economic framework remains the key and fans.