The players unions of professional leagues are made to create a channel of communication between league offices and their players. While the unions can be at odds with themselves, like the MLBPA is over the salary cap, the change that they introduction is mostly positive. However, the players unions in the NFL and Major League Baseball are subject of a new FBI probe, with Tony Clark and Richard Smith emerging as its biggest characters.

According to reports from ESPN's Jeff Passan, the FBI wants to know if any players or executives in either league are aware of any illegal deals made by OneTeam Partners. The licensing group was created to help athletes in both sports finalize media and NIL deals.

This is the second time in the past year that the National Labor Relations Board has filed a complaint against OneTeam Partners. MLB Player's Association executive director Tony Clark is one of the people under investigation. The NLRB alleges he “improperly gave himself & other executives equity”, according to Passan.

Clark, who has been leading the MLBPA since 2013, is the first former player to do so. Under his leadership, the MLBPA has done well, thanks in part to their partnership with OneTeam Partners.

Clark's main concern is preventing a lockout from happening in MLB. However, the FBI's probe has him in a different spotlight.

Back in December, the NFLPA brought in outside counsel in Richard Smith to look into the MLBPA and OneTeam Partners.

Article Continues Below
More MLB News
New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) reacts after a defensive play by third baseman Brett Baty (not pictured) during the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field.
Mets’ Kodai Senga means business with blunt take on NL-best ERAAlex House ·
Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (3) strikes out against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning at T-Mobile Park.
JP Crawford breaks Mariners scoreboard with go-ahead home runMatty Breisch ·
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
Aaron Judge blasts 2nd home run in blowout loss to DodgersLorenzo J Reyna ·
May 28, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty (7) looks on before the game against the Chicago White Sox at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images
Brett Baty’s hilarious minor league admission after triple vs. RockiesMike Gianakos ·
New York Mets second baseman Jett Williams (90) throws to first base and retires Washington Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (not pictured) during the third inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
Paul Skenes trade grades for ex-MLB GM’s Mets-Pirates hypotheticalZachary Howell ·
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
Yankees superstar Aaron Judge’s HR No. 20 sends fans into frenzyAlex House ·

The firm realeased a statement amid the investigation saying the group “remains steadfast in our commitment to following the best business practices, as has already been determined by the independent audit conducted earlier this year. … We remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency in all that we do.”

Upon the conclusion of Smith's investigation, the NFLPA found nothing wrong on their part.

Clark is the main focus of the investigation, but the FBI has reached out to current players, according to Passan.

The MLBPA and the players it represents make millions through their partnership. To this point, all parties involved in the probe have been fully cooperative. Time will tell what the FBI finds on Clark and the MLBPA, if anything. For now, though, the MLBPA defends Clark, saying that he did nothing wrong during his time as their executive director.