Dada 5000 sends out an offer to Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins players to join his bare-knuckle boxing promotion with the MLB lockout ongoing.
There was a glimmer of hope that the MLB lockout would end after lengthy talks on Monday resulting in the deadline to start the season on time to Tuesday. But, both sides were still far apart on topics, resulting in the lockout extending and the first two series of the 2022 season being canceled.
Dada 5000, founder of the BYB Extreme Bare Knuckle Fighting Series, issued an invitation to players on the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins to train with his company and the opportunity to earn a contract.
“Born and bred in the backyards of South Florida, BYB is all about creating opportunity and a physical and emotional outlet for athletes of all stripes,” said Dada 5000 in a press release. “And while Rob Manfred doesn’t appreciate the talents and commitment of some of the most talented athletes in the world, BYB is happy to welcome them with open arms.
“Bare knuckle boxing, like baseball, is all about reaction, agility, and hand-eye coordination. If any ballplayers are looking to keep their skills sharp, or perhaps learn a technique or two for when the next beanball comes their way, we invite them to trade the diamond for the Trigon. I’ll personally take them under my wing.”
Dada 5000 invites Rays, Marlins players to join bare knuckle fighting promotion
Quite the offer from Dada 5000 for players on the Rays and Marlins to train inside the promotion’s triangle cage.
MLB has been locked out since early December as both the league and player’s union needed to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement. Talks did pick up in the past week or so, as both sides were in Jupiter, Fla. to agree to a deal.
On Tuesday, the owners gave a reported “best and final offer” to the MLB Player’s Association. Just before the 5:00 p.m. ET deadline, the players rejected the proposal. The proposal is listed below, courtesy of ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed in his press conference that the first two series of the 2022 regular-season were cancelled and would not be made up. Furthermore, Manfred said that players will not be paid for those missed games.
Manfred said that the MLBPA is heading back to New York, and that there “no agreement is possible until at least Thursday.”