The ONE Reason the Lockout Could End and the Cincinnati Reds and MLB will Open in May 2027

Major League Baseball faces a seismic labor showdown as owners and players brace for a lockout that could threaten the entire 2027 season. Will the potential of $7 billion TV contracts and streaming deals force action, or are owners ready to sacrifice a year to secure a salary cap? The high-stakes battle over centralized revenue, salary caps, and payroll floors has both sides posturing for leverage, with player pay and team valuations hanging in the balance. Jeff and Steve break down the ripple effects for the Cincinnati Reds and the league, drawing comparisons to the NFL’s model and reflecting on the unresolved pain of the 1994 World Series strike. Key questions include whether small-market teams like the Reds can survive a prolonged shutdown, how union solidarity stacks against ownership’s $2.25 billion “slush fund,” and what a lost season means for fans at Great American Ballpark. Baseball’s future could hinge on what happens next. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… Everydayer Club   If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join the Locked On Reds community: https://lockedonreds.supercast.com    BOOKMARK Sports Illustrated’s Cincinnati Reds site, Cincinnati Reds Talk! https://www.si.com/mlb/reds/ Also follow @jefffcarr and @soffenbaker on Twitter 00:00 Opening Day in May? 12:13 Why Owners Could Sacrifice Season 25:14 MLB Salary Cap Showdown Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Gameday Mens Health Gameday Men’s Health is a real, in-person men’s health clinic that looks at the full picture before developing a treatment plan. Book your complimentary test and consult at https://join.gamedaymenshealth.com/re... Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. KALSHI For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next. Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. 5-Hour ENERGY Spice up your season with rich pumpkin flavor and bold cinnamon swagger in every sip. Pumpkin Spice 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots are available for a limited time in stores and on https://5hourENERGY.com or Amazon. LarineCo Larine is a better-for-you chewing gum . Larine is offering our listeners up to 50% off at https://buylarine.com/LOCKEDONMLB. FanDuel This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) #Reds #CincinnatiReds #MLB