Franmil Reyes, Sued for Breach of Contract
Former Major League Baseball outfielder Franmil Reyes is facing a lawsuit in Delaware Superior Court for alleged breach of contract. The agreement was signed in 2016 with the sports investment firm Big League Advance Fund (BLA), when Reyes was a prospect in the minor leagues.
According to reports, BLA alleges that Reyes has stopped complying with the payment of 10% of his professional earnings, as stipulated in the contract. This results in a debt of US$404,908.87 in overdue payments, in addition to US$298,749.13 in accrued interest. The figure could increase due to pending payments related to his time in Japanese baseball, specifically with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.The Origin of the Agreement
In 2016, Franmil Reyes, then a player for the Lake Elsinore Storm (Class A affiliate of the San Diego Padres), signed a contract with BLA. In exchange for US$301,840, Reyes agreed to cede 10% of his future earnings in professional baseball, provided they exceeded US$100,000 annually. The agreement covered earnings from Major Leagues, minor leagues, and the Japanese League, including salaries, bonuses, and incentives.
Reyes, 29 years old, played in MLB between 2018 and 2023 for the Padres, Guardians, Cubs, and Royals. He stood out with impressive seasons, including 37 and 30 home runs in 2018 and 2021, respectively. After a decline in his performance in 2022 and 2023, he moved to Japanese baseball, where he has played the last two seasons.BLA’s Stance and the Ethical Debate
BLA argues that its model provides capital to young players to cover basic needs and training, assuming the risk of losing the investment if the player is not successful. However, this practice has been criticized by unions and experts, including the MLB Players Association, who consider it “exploitative.” It is argued that many young baseball players sign these contracts without fully understanding the long-term implications.Legal Actions in Progress
Reyes’ lawyers, represented by the Connolly Gallagher law firm, will have to respond to the accusations. The case focuses on breach of contract. It is important to note that the most recent contracts include arbitration clauses, which prevent these disputes from reaching the courts and public opinion. However, Reyes’ agreement, being from 2016, is not subject to these clauses.
