World of Unions – Tony Clark: Major League Baseball Players Association

• FIFPRO is celebrating its 60th anniversary – six decades of supporting footballers worldwide
  
  
• As well as sharing the voices of member unions who have shaped the 60-year journey, FIFPRO is also celebrating the wider union movement

• MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark talks about the importance of both associations using their respective platforms to generate positive change for athletes
  

FIFPRO has been serving professional footballers since 1965. As well as sharing the voices of member unions who have shaped our journey in the last 60 years, FIFPRO is also celebrating the wider union movement – uniting athletes across different leagues and disciplines.

Over the years, FIFPRO has worked alongside other player associations and advocacy organisations worldwide, including the World Players Association, international trade unions, and human rights groups, to drive systemic change in sport. From championing player safety and mental health to pushing for fairer contracts and better governance, these collaborations have strengthened the collective voice of athletes.

FIFPRO’s World of Unions series serves as an extension of that solidarity, highlighting the shared mission of player associations across different sports and the importance of solidarity in the continued fight for athlete rights.

Founded in 1966, the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) is the union representing all current Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) players. The association works closely with MLB to ensure the playing conditions for all games meet proper safety guidelines and it also serves as the group licensing agent on behalf of the players through its business arm MLB Players Inc.

MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark sat down with FIFPRO to reflect on the football union’s 60th anniversary and the importance of both associations using their respective platforms to bring positive change for athletes.

Clark said: "The secret that's kept FIFPRO resilient over the years reflects what the MLBPA's late executive director Marvin Miller used to say of our own organisation: the secret of success of the MLBPA is not a secret – it’s in the solidarity of the membership.