GOP Sens. Hawley, Cruz & Lee Seek To Remove MLB’s Antitrust Exemptions

Following the MLB’s choice to move their All-Star game out of Georgia in protest of the state’s new restrictive voting laws, three Republican senators outlined legislation Tuesday that would remove the MLB’s antitrust exemption.

The three senators are Ted Cruz, (R-Texas) Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) and Mike Lee (R-Utah). The trio delivered a joint statement to announce their intentions.

“This past month, we have seen the rise of the woke corporation. We have seen the rise of big business enforcing a woke standard,” said Cruz. After referencing the MLB’s move out Georgia, he said, “That decision was harmful. It’s going to hurt baseball. But it also underscores that there’s no reason Major League Baseball should enjoy special subsidies — corporate welfare that no one else gets.”

“It’s important to remember that this exemption was created from whole cloth by the Supreme Court 99 years ago,” Lee said. “It was not put in place legislatively. It is a distinctively legislative decision.” Lee is referencing a ruling from Justice Oliver Wendell Homes Jr. that asserts the MLB’s control over team relocation, ownership and local markets.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) has not commented on whether or not he will push for the senators’ bill to get a vote, but McConnell recently issued a statement condemning the MLB after their choice to move the All-Star game.