The Major League Baseball Players Association and executive director Tony Clark face ongoing federal investigation following revelations about financial management at Players Way, a youth baseball company owned by the union. Federal law officers examine spending patterns at the Florida-based business, which has operated since 2019 with minimal public activity despite substantial union investment.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn started a criminal investigation into the MLBPA’s finances after an anonymous whistleblower complaint was filed in November. The complaint said that Clark was abusing his power, misusing resources, and doing business with himself at the union. Federal investigators are looking into more than just OneTeam Partners, the group-licensing company that the MLBPA and the National Football League Players Association started in 2019. Sources familiar with the inquiry told investigators that union transfers to Players Way exceeded amounts previously disclosed to the public.

Clark stated in a written statement to ESPN that he created Players Way “as an oasis for young athletes and families who too often get exploited in today’s billion-dollar ‘youth sports’ machinery.” The MLBPA denied all whistleblower allegations as “entirely without merit.” Union officials declined to specify how Players Way spent millions of dollars or whether players specifically approved spending by the company. A former union official described Players Way’s finances as a “black box.” Tony Clark declined to be interviewed for reporting on the investigation.

Federal investigators identified significant discrepancies in Players Way’s financial reporting. The MLBPA publicly reported $3.9 million in union investment to Players Way, but sources with knowledge of union finances told investigators the amount reached approximately $10 million. The company generated barely six figures in revenue since its founding in 2019, according to investigators.

Players’ Way funds largely paid six-figure annual salaries to executives and consultants, including former major leaguers simultaneously working other full-time positions. Federal investigators also examined whistleblower allegations regarding excessive union spending on international and domestic trips for Tony Clark and senior union executives. The investigation remains ongoing, with federal investigators declining to comment on the inquiry.

Players Choice Awards shine bright amid Tony Clark’s union turmoil

As the federal government looks more closely at the MLBPA’s leadership, the union’s annual Players’ Choice Awards served as a reminder of what really matters: honoring the best players in the game. The announcement on Wednesday had some interesting effects that could change the way the BBWAA votes next month.

Cal Raleigh did an amazing job this year, winning both the Player of the Year and the AL Outstanding Player awards. The Seattle backstop launched an incredible 60 homers, making him the first Mariner to ever snag the Outstanding Player award. That puts him in legendary company with names like Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey Jr., and Ichiro. What’s even more impressive? Since José Abreu won in 2020, only Raleigh has managed to break through the Shohei Ohtani-Aaron Judge stranglehold on the AL’s top honor.

Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes and Detroit’s Tarik Skubal absolutely owned the pitching categories, taking home NL and AL Outstanding Pitcher awards. Skenes posted a jaw-dropping 1.97 ERA over 187.2 innings, marking the lowest figure for a qualified starter since Justin Verlander’s 2022 campaign. Meanwhile, Skubal made history by becoming the first hurler since Jacob deGrom in 2018-2019 to win back-to-back Outstanding Pitcher awards in either league.

The biggest shock was in the race for the NL Outstanding Player. Kyle Schwarber beat Ohtani, even though Ohtani had a great season with a .622 slugging percentage and 7.5 fWAR. Voters were swayed by Schwarber’s power numbers and the fact that he helped the Phillies win the NL East. Jacob deGrom and Ronald Acuña won Comeback Player awards, and rookies Nick Kurtz and Drake Baldwin showed why the future looks good.