Federal agents are now looking closely at OneTeam Partners, a licensing firm that handles media and merchandising deals for Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Football League (NFL) players. The FBI and the Department of Labor are backing the investigation, which centers on the company’s financial dealings and organizational practices, but they aren’t targeting individual athletes.
Amid all this uncertainty, OneTeam Partners and the two unions involved—MLBPA and NFLPA—say they remain committed to transparency and cooperation. That’s the official line, at least.
What is OneTeam Partners and Why Is It Under Investigation?
OneTeam Partners, founded in 2019, quickly became a major player in the sports business world. It was started by MLB Players Association (MLBPA) head Tony Clark, ex-NFLPA leader DeMaurice Smith, and private equity group RedBird Capital.
The main goal? Manage group licensing deals and media rights for pro athletes, sending millions back to their unions. In just the past year, OneTeam paid $44.5 million to the MLBPA, which gives you a sense of its reach and influence.
The Scope of the Federal Inquiry
Federal authorities are now digging into OneTeam’s complex financial structure and business practices. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York is leading the probe, with help from both the FBI and Department of Labor. It’s a serious move, no doubt.
OneTeam says it isn’t the target and hasn’t been accused of wrongdoing. Still, the scrutiny is intense.
Investigators have contacted players from both MLB and NFL, but sources keep repeating that the athletes themselves aren’t in trouble. The focus seems squarely on the company’s administration and internal dealings.
Key Figures and Shifting Dynamics at OneTeam Partners
The leadership at OneTeam Partners has changed a lot since the company launched. DeMaurice Smith left his role as NFLPA executive director in 2023, and RedBird Capital sold its stake in OneTeam back in 2022.
These changes raise questions about how stable and transparent the leadership has been during the company’s rapid growth. It’s tough to ignore that kind of churn at the top.
Both unions—the MLBPA and NFLPA—say they’re cooperating fully with federal authorities. They’re trying to show they care about integrity and the organizations managing collective player rights.
Financial Impact on Professional Sports Unions
OneTeam Partners has changed the way pro athletes make money from group licensing. The firm negotiates big deals for athletes and their unions, connecting sports with media revenue streams.
That $44.5 million payout to the MLBPA in 2024? It’s a clear sign of how OneTeam drives money straight to the unions.
But now, the investigation is stirring up doubts about whether those payouts came from solid business practices. If there’s anything off, it could threaten these kinds of arrangements going forward.
Pro sports leagues depend on efficient licensing, so federal scrutiny could shake up how athlete unions handle their business.
What Lies Ahead for OneTeam Partners?
No one really knows what the investigation will mean for OneTeam Partners. The company insists it’s not the target and promises to cooperate, hoping its transparency will help it ride this out.
The MLBPA and NFLPA also say they’ll assist, trying to get ahead of the story and resolve things quickly—at least, that’s the hope.
Communication Amid Uncertainty
NFL players reportedly got word about the investigation, but not directly from NFLPA leadership. That lack of an official message might mean the union is playing it safe as the situation develops.
For now, pro athletes are just watching from the sidelines, keeping their focus on the game while federal agents pick apart the business side of sports licensing.
Conclusion
Right now, OneTeam Partners sits squarely under the watchful eye of federal agencies. They’re the ones who keep tabs on fair financial moves and how businesses are run.
This investigation could dig up fresh details about sports licensing. Who knows—maybe it’ll even change the way players and unions handle media deals in the coming years.
Here is the source article for this story: Federal agents contacting NFL, MLB players as part of investigation related to licensing firm
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s