MLB Team Owners Approve Proposal For July Baseball Start

Major League Baseball's team owners have reportedly approved a proposal for an 82 game season, which would begin in early July, the Associated Press & ESPN are both reporting.

The plan, which now heads to the players' union for approval, would have the season start around the Forth of July weekend. Fans will not be allowed inside the ballparks (at least to start).

Under the current proposal, each team would play about 82 regular-season games against opponents in their own division, plus regionally applicable inter-league matchup (like AL East vs NL East).

Plus, A universal designated hitter could also be coming to the game for both leagues under the proposal, the AP reports.

Additionally, the postseason will double the number of wildcards available in each league to four, expanding the teams eligible for the postseason from 10 to 14 teams for the season, sources tell ESPN. 

The logistics of the proposal are still not totally clear, but many believe the fate of this plan will likely come down to money.

The MLB is expected to pitch the proposal to the players' union on Tuesday, where it's expected to be a difficult conversation.

Many believe the biggest point of contention will be over a revenue split. ESPN is reporting that the proposed split would call for players to receive a percentage of their salaries based on a 50-50 split of revenues the MLB receives.

As the sporting world continues to reel from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, live-action returned to the UFC this past weekend, and NASCAR will resume racing this upcoming weekend without fans in the stands at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.