MLBPA Agent Information and Regulations
MLBPA Agent Regulations
The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) is the sole and exclusive bargaining agent for all Major League Baseball players and individuals preparing to negotiate a Major League contract. Only MLBPA General Certified Agents may represent or advise a player in negotiating the terms of a Major League contract and only Expert Agent Advisors may assist General Certified Agents in such negotiations. Only MLBPA Limited Certified Agents may recruit or provide client maintenance services on behalf of a General Certified Agent.
How to Apply for MLBPA Certification
To be eligible for MLBPA certification, an applicant must:
- Read, understand and agree to all MLBPA Regulations Governing Player Agents;
- Complete the online Application for MLBPA Certification (a username for the application website may be requested at https://registration.mlbpa.org/SignUp.aspx.);
- Submit a non-refundable application fee of $2,000 (check or money order only) payable to the Major League Baseball Players Association;
- Submit a signed “Declaration by Applicant” and, in the case of an applicant for General Certification, a copy of your Agency’s Representation Agreement;
- Provide permission for the MLBPA to conduct a background investigation by submitting a signed Authorization to Conduct a Background Investigation form;
- Successfully pass the background investigation;
- Pass the written examination; and
- Be designated as the Agent of a Major League Player or a Player preparing to negotiate a Major League Contract (for General Certification); or designated by a General Certified agent as a Recruiter, Client Maintenance Service Provider (for Limited Certification),, or Expert Agent Advisor (for Certification as an Expert Agent Advisor).
You may apply for MLBPA Certification even if you have not yet been designated as the Agent of a Major League Player, designated as a Recruiter or Client Maintenance Service Provider by a General Certified Agent, or designated as an Expert Agent Advisor by a General Certified Agent. However, you will not be eligible for MLBPA Certification until you have received the required designation.
Below information is published on the MLBPA Agents Regulations site.
Copy the following link to access the page with the latest information. You will need to download the pdf files and have a adobe reader to review the requirements and forms.
http://www.mlbplayers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=34000&ATCLID=211078089
MLBPA Info
Q: Who is eligible for membership in the Association?
A: All players, managers, coaches and trainers who hold a signed contract with a Major League club are eligible for membership in the Association. In collective bargaining, the Association represents around 1,200 players, or the number of players on each club’s 40-man roster, in addition to any players on the disabled list.
Q: What is the average salary of a Major Leaguer?
A: The average salary for the 2018 season was $4,520,000.
Q: What is the minimum salary of a Major Leaguer?
A: The minimum salary for the 2019 season is $555,000.
Q: When does a player become eligible for salary arbitration?
A: A player with three or more years of service, but less than six years, may file for salary arbitration. In addition, a player can be classified as a “Super Two” and be eligible for arbitration with less than three years of service. A player with at least two but less than three years of Major League service shall be eligible for salary arbitration if he has accumulated at least 86 days of service during the immediately preceding season and he ranks in the top 22 percent (increased from 17 percent in previous agreements) in total service in the class of Players who have at least two but less than three years of Major League service, however accumulated, but with at least 86 days of service accumulated during the immediately preceding season.
Q: How much are union dues?
A: The players’ dues are $85 per day during the season.
Q: What is group licensing?
A: Any company seeking to use the names or likenesses of more than two Major League Baseball players in connection with a commercial product, product line or promotion must sign a licensing agreement with the MLBPA. The license grants the use of the players’ names and/or likenesses only and not the use of any MLB team logos or marks. Examples of products licensed by the MLBPA include trading cards, video games, T-shirts, caps, a wide variety of other products such as pennants, posters, pins, action figures and advertising campaigns for a wide variety of products and services.
Q: How is licensing revenue distributed?
A: Players receive a pro rata share of licensing revenue regardless of popularity or stature. Each player share is determined by his actual days of Major League service in a given season.
Q: What is the Major League Baseball Players Trust?
A: The Players Trust is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit foundation created by the players in 1996 to assist charities around the world. The Trust is funded through player and public donations, a percentage of licensing revenue and through revenue produced from Association special events.
Q: How does an individual become a certified player agent?
A: To represent or advise a player in negotiating the terms of a Major League contract, an agent must first be certified by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Individuals who recruit players on behalf of agents, or who provide client maintenance services to players on behalf of certified agents, also must have MLBPA certification. To become certified by the MLBPA, a prospective agent, recruiter or service provider must first complete an online application at https://registration.mlbpa.org, pay a $2,000 application fee, pass a background investigation, pass a written exam, and be designated by a Major League Player as his representative, or by a certified agent as a recruiter or service provider. For more information about the application process and to get started with an application please go to https://registration.mlbpa.org.
Q: How many agents are certified by the MLBPA?
A: 400 or so