Jeff Perconte has been promoted to general counsel of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), the union announced Wednesday. The move comes as the players’ association continues to reshape its leadership structure in the wake of the forced resignation of former executive director Tony Clark and with collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations looming.
Perconte steps into a pivotal legal role at a time when the MLBPA is expected to prepare for detailed discussions with Major League Baseball on the terms that will govern players’ working conditions, salaries, benefits, and other core aspects of the sport’s labor framework. As general counsel, he will be responsible for overseeing the union’s legal affairs, including interpretation and enforcement of the current CBA, management of labor-related disputes, and guidance on issues that may arise during formal negotiations with the league.
The promotion underscores the importance the MLBPA is placing on experienced legal leadership ahead of the next bargaining cycle. The general counsel typically works closely with the executive director, senior union officials, outside counsel, and player representatives across all 30 clubs. This role often includes involvement in grievance procedures, arbitration matters, policy reviews, and the development of strategic approaches to labor discussions with MLB’s central office and club ownership.
Perconte’s elevation is one in a series of internal adjustments within the MLBPA since Clark’s departure, as the union looks to stabilize its leadership team and present a unified front on behalf of its membership. Players rely heavily on the union’s legal department to safeguard collectively bargained rights, monitor compliance by teams and the league, and respond to evolving issues such as scheduling, rules enforcement, and workplace standards.
With CBA talks on the horizon, the general counsel’s office will play a central role in preparing proposals, reviewing league submissions, and advising player leaders on the potential impact of any changes to the agreement. Perconte’s promotion signals that the MLBPA is moving to ensure its legal and bargaining operations are firmly in place ahead of what is expected to be an intensive period of negotiation and analysis for the sport’s labor landscape.
