Why Did MLB Bizarrely Remove Player Profile Pictures Amidst Lockout?

If you often head back to MLB’s official website to take a look at current players’ highlight videos, this is not going to make you happy. MLB officials have not only removed highlights of current players but also taken off their profile pictures from the website.

There was a weird uniformity in baseball players’ profiles on the MLB website, as a generic silhouette appeared in place of their images. Naturally, following the establishment of the lockout, the removal of profiles pictures has further angered both fans and players.

Why did the officials remove the profile pictures from MLB website?

For the first time in 25 years, MLB announced a complete lockout on 2nd December, until further notice. This led to a full stop on the controversial off-season free agency craziness. Fans, players, and teams will now have to wait until the lockout is uplifted to see the future of the remaining free agents in the 2022 season.

However, the officials went a step further and removed the profile pictures of players to mandate the lockout rules. The reason for removing names, images, or likenesses is to avoid running afoul of federal labor laws, or any other uses for commercial or promotional purposes to make money during the lockout.

Notably, the Los Angeles Angels had to remove Shohei Ohtani from their promotional bobbled commemorating him as well. A banner celebrating the victory of NL MVP, Bryce Harper, was also taken down. Players were stunned to witness this, and have taken the step to stand in solidarity against it uniquely.

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Baseball Players change twitter profiles to blank silhouettes

Many players were clearly not happy with MLB’s bizarre decision and replaced their Twitter profile pictures with a blank image as well. However, according to New York Mets’ pitcher Trevor Williams, it was supposed to be a joke and not a protest against the decision.

Mets’ Trevor Williams, Johnny Cueto, Zack Godley, Steven Souza, and Randy Dobnak were amongst the few players who replaced their image with a blank silhouette.

Trevor also tweeted hilariously, ”I can still tweet right?”

The MLB lockout will be uplifted after a new CBA will be negotiated between the owners and the MLBPA. How long do you think the lockout will be in existence?

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