Moynihan Supports Overturning Baseball’s Antitrust Exemption

Sen. Daniel Moynihan will call for a complete repeal of baseball’s antitrust exemption in the legislation he intends to introduce today when the 104th Congress convenes.

The New York Democrat on Tuesday released the text of the proposed bill, S-15, which states that except for negotiating national broadcasting contracts, “the antitrust laws shall apply to the business of organized professional baseball.” John Warner, R-Va., is the cosponsor.

“Major league baseball is in grave peril,” Moynihan said in a statement. “The antitrust exemption allows the owners to act as a cartel.”

Sen. Orrin Hatch, the Utah Republican who takes over today as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, supports at least a partial repeal of the exemption.

Moynihan said he will work with Hatch to “enact this legislation and bring our national pastime back to the field.”