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The World Series has the baseball-verse in a grip—it’s Game 6 after all, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are on the brink of elimination. But a leaked scandal from baseball’s past has suddenly resurfaced, taking away much of the spotlight from the thrilling game happening up north. The Athletic has revealed a series of private communications that expose the under-the-table dealings between MLB officials and a player agent who appeared to betray the very athletes that he was meant to represent. It all began on March 26, 2020, when the world was on lockdown and baseball was fighting for its own survival. The players’ union and league officials were locked in a tense negotiation over how much players should be paid for a shortened season. And at the center of it was Jim Murray, a well-known agent from Excel Sports Management. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Athletic revealed that Murray wrote to Manfred, “PLEASE do not give in regarding the [MLBPA’s proposed] October language. You will get the deal done without it.” It’s crucial to understand that Murray is not just another agent. The firm he was representing was one whose reputation was built on representing stars like Derek Jeter and Clayton Kershaw. Now, according to the 71-page disciplinary letter and five-page memo that the Athletic highlighted, Murray was acting as a “mole” for the MLB commissioner, Rob Manfred, and this team. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Instead of backing the players, Murray apparently sent texts advising the league to stand firm against the union proposals. Weeks later, on April 18, Murray texted MLB chief communications officer Pat Courtney. Courtney asked, “Is Clark saying players should be paid 100% in empty ballparks?” Murray’s response was cold, “You guys should just ignore it. Let Tony hang himself.” “Tony” refers to Tony Clark, the head of the players’ union. The MLBPA said that those exchanges showed a “betrayal” of players and even revealed how far the owners and their representatives go to manipulate such negotiations. Now Murray seems to have accepted a $100,000 fine and a four-year ban from serving as an MLBPA-certified agent. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports But the bummer is that he would still be able to manage the players’ marketing affairs, and really, the punishment underscores the gravity of his actions.
