Classic Baseball Union

Omaha World-Herald – December 25th, 1992: Watch out Major League Baseball, there’s a new league in town. Revenues are up in professional baseball across the board, the owners are cashing in, the players are threatening to go on strike in the MLB, and twenty ownership groups have come together to challenge the MLB throne. Its Christmas in Omaha as the Classic Baseball Union opens it’s league office doors to the public for the very first time.

There had been grumblings of a new baseball league on the horizon, but nobody predicted something so different and compelling that might actually work. The CBU will challenge MLB by operating under a completely different business model. The league organizations will share 75% of all revenue amongst the league, which will then also be divided between players, charities, the league’s programs, and finally the ownership groups.

Many of the details are still being hammered out, but know that twenty cities in North America will soon play host to new professional baseball franchises. Many cities playing home to their first team. Also there are plans to spread baseball throughout the continent with four levels of minor league franchises. With the CBU’s 100 new teams, its very likely that a new team will be coming to a place near you.

Its unlikely that the CBU will challenge Major League Baseball any time soon, but with a possible labor stoppage on the horizon, the CBU seems to be striking while the opportunity is hot. The CBU also announced today that the ownership groups are increasing their funding to collegiate and high school baseball programs. The ten million dollar endowment created just 2 years ago has already made a difference in the lives of hundreds of ballplayers.

Talent will no doubt start funneling into the CBU as college scholarships are being handed out to baseball prospects across the country. With only a verbal commitment to play in the CBU versus MLB each player is given a free ride to any college in America. The CBU scouts have already created a ruckus amongst MLB circles as the competition for high school players in the amateur draft process has just gotten twice as complicated.

Commissioner Jordan Gillis spoke to a crowd of reporters, baseball fans, and CBU personnel:

“The Classic Baseball Union is going to bring purity back to the sport of baseball. Baseball was meant to always be a game, not a business plan. We are committed as an organization to give back to the cities who host us, give back to the fans that support us, and play baseball with integrity and honor that once was common in the sport. The future is bright for the baseball world. Competition between two leagues will bring out the best for both leagues. Make no mistake, the Classic Baseball Union will be about the fans. Families will be able to afford to come to baseball games regularly, children will be able to watch their favorite CBU stars play before their bedtimes, and profits from the game will be put towards good will. Baseball academies will be built, baseball programs in schools and universities will be restored, and non-profit charities will benefit from this new league.

The ownership groups have signed deals that guarantee the Classic Baseball Union will run on this platform for twenty seasons, paying for the first ten seasons up front. That’s right. All franchises have already paid their expenses for the next ten seasons. The Classic Baseball Union is not going anywhere. The funding is in place, positive differences are already being made, and CBU baseball will begin play in the Spring of 1994.”

Commissioner Gillis stayed to answer questions for three hours after his initial statement. He made it clear that the CBU would be an organization that is open to the public, that they have no reason to keep any information private. Stadiums have already begun being built. Cities of all sizes have already laid claim to teams in this new league. City officials in Sioux Falls, Tacoma, Charlotte, Galveston, and Buffalo are hosting parties to welcome their new franchises. Teams are already selling merchandise and there aren’t even players dispersed to clubs yet.

There’s something very exciting going on here, and while nobody can put a finger on it, there’s little doubt in the eyes of many that Major League Baseball could be in for a run for its money.