Miami Marlins CEO forgoes salary during Coronavirus pandemic

Executives of the Miami Marlins are doing their part to help the organization financially during the Coronavirus pandemic.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the uncertain timeframe of the beginning of the 2020 MLB season, Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter and top executives are adjusting their salaries accordingly.

Per MLB Trade Rumors and other sources, Jeter is forgoing his salary indefinitely while other top executives are taking pay cuts. There is no timetable set when baseball will resume, but the league office is working to come up with a plan where the game will be played in either Arizona or in Arizona and Florida.

Craig Mish first reported the news on his Twitter account, according to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors.

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“Additional cost-cutting measures that the Marlins’ executive and ownership club may take aren’t clear, but the cuts among some of the team’s brass will surely aid in avoiding layoffs and furloughs elsewhere in the organization,” Adams writes.

It has been over a month since the league office shutdown all Spring Training Activities due to concerns over the safety of players, members of organizations and fans who attended games on both sides of the country. All MLB facilities are also shutdown. Miami Marlins staff members are working remotely during the time away from Marlins Park.

The ball club got off to a hot start in the Grapefruit League, winning 12 of their first 20 games and showing off the talent of the future. Manager Don Mattingly comes into the season with a new two-year contract and more veteran players the front office signed in the offseason. The excitement of the start in February and March has now been slowed to a screeching halt as everyone waits for a sign that baseball will be back.

The effects of the work stoppage are affecting every MLB team financially.

“The impact that pay reduction among club leadership will have throughout the organization can’t yet be known, but it’s nevertheless a notable gesture,” Adams adds. “It’s easy to cynically say that Jeter can afford to do so — indeed, he earned more than $265MM in player salaries during his career and was able to purchase a minority stake in the Miami franchise — but that much is true of many owners and high-ranking executives who have not opted to do so (both in and outside of baseball).”

Two weeks ago, Jeter addressed the situation with the pandemic and how the team will make the necessary adjustments for players and staff once they are allowed back on the field. He also said he has been in contact with league officials throughout the process to make sure the Miami Marlins are keeping up with guidelines to ensure the safety of every member of the organization.

“You don’t know how long this delay is going to be,” Jeter said. “Are we playing in a month? Are we playing in two months? Are we playing in three? No one really knows. Once again, that would be just me speculating.”