MLBPA executive director Tony Clark has reportedly resigned after an internal investigation found that he had an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who was hired by the union in 2023. That’s a major conflict-of-interest crisis at the top of the most powerful union in pro sports.

Port St. Lucie, Florida: Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association Tony Clark answering questions about the sign stealing scandal before a spring training workout on February 19, 2020 at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty Images)

As ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. reported, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York opened a federal investigation after a whistleblower complaint was filed with the National Labor Relations Board in November 2024.

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The complaint alleged self-dealing, misuse of resources, abuse of power and nepotism.

One flashpoint: The MLBPA built a large office in Arizona, where Clark lives, and his sister-in-law worked there after it opened in 2023.

The union hired former assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman as outside counsel to brief its eight-man executive subcommittee on potential legal exposure.

According to ESPN, investigators are also scrutinizing funds tied to OneTeam Partners, a multibillion-dollar licensing company part-owned by the union, and Players Way, a youth baseball initiative that spent millions but staged only a handful of events.

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: Executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association Tony Clark talks to the media prior to Game 1 of the 2023 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Friday, October 27, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Then the relationship disclosure surfaced. As ESPN noted, player leaders saw the news as crossing a red line. Members of the executive subcommittee were already uneasy about Clark’s future because of the federal investigation.

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