MLB: Arbitrator upholds bans of Bad Bunny’s baseball agency

New York –

In a recent development, an arbitrator has upheld the five-year suspensions of the chief executives of Bad Bunny’s sports representation firm for engaging in improper inducements to players. The ban has been upheld for Noah Assad, Jonathan Miranda, and William Arroyo of Rimas Sports. However, the ban for the company’s only certified baseball agent has been reduced to three years.

The ruling, issued by Ruth M. Moscovitch on Oct. 30, came after a case involving allegations of a $200,000 interest-free loan and a $19,500 gift made by the executives to players. The decision was made public when the Major League Baseball Players Association filed a petition to confirm the 80-page decision in New York Supreme Court in Manhattan.

Following a notice of discipline issued by the union on April 10, which revoked Arroyo’s agent certification and denied certification to Assad and Miranda, the three individuals appealed the decision. Moscovitch, appointed as the arbitrator, reviewed the case and found substantial evidence of misconduct.

Moscovitch highlighted the violations including the use of non-certified personnel to recruit players, providing gifts and inducements to non-client players, and facilitating loans without proper approval. The arbitrator stated, “There can be no doubt that these are serious violations, both in the number of violations and the range of misconduct.”

Rimas Sports, the company involved, declined to comment on the ruling. Arroyo, one of the suspended executives, did not respond to requests for comment. The hearings conducted by Moscovitch took place both in person and via video, emphasizing the seriousness of the case.

The MLBPA has requested the court to confirm Moscovitch’s decision and order the individuals to pay a fine of $400,000, plus interest. The union aims to uphold the integrity of the regulations and ensure fair practices within the sports representation industry.