With the 2020 MLB season is on pause amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter has decided forgo his reported $5 million salary, according to ESPN.com.
Other executives for the Marlins accepted pay cuts, per ESPN. Many other high-up officials and executives across various professional sports leagues have also agreed to pay reductions.
Jeter's selflessness certainly helps a club that has struggled mightily from a financial standpoint.The Marlins created the lowest revenue ($222 million) among all 30 baseball clubs in 2019, according to Forbes. They are also the only franchise that is valued at under $1 billion ($980 million).
On top of that, the Marlins were one of two teams (along with the Pittsburgh Pirates) that saw a one-year decrease in value (-2 percent). Jeter's team also had a -$5.9 million operating income.
Jeter and majority owner Bruce Sherman led the group that purchased the Marlins from Jeffrey Loria in 2017. After taking over, Jeter went about rebuilding the Marlins from scratch - trading away franchise superstar and slugger Giancarlo Stanton, All-Star outfielder Christian Yelich, catcher J.T. Realmuto and versatile infielder Dee Gordon.
RELATED: Yankees & Dodgers Top Forbes' MLB Valuations Rankings
In 2018, the first season under Jeter and Sherman, Miami went 63-98 - last in the NL East division. They went a woeful 57-105 in 2019, once again finishing last in the division. But given Jeter's winning experience (five World Series championships with the New York Yankees), Marlins fans should give him the benefit of the doubt.
The 2020 MLB season was scheduled to take place on March 26, with all 30 teams in action. However, the season was put on pause two weeks before the planned opening date, and the league is still monitoring ways to start the campaign soon.
The league, along with the MLPBA, is exploring an option that would allow all 30 teams to play their games at facilities in the greater Phoenix area. They are also looking at the possibility of divisional realignment for only the 2020 season.
NEXT: NFL Quarterbacks Have Signed Contracts Worth $900 Million In Past Year
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEq6CcoJWowW%2BvzqZmrKifp8G0ecSnq56qpJa2r7nEp6tonJWnsqx5yZ6rnqpdrLyvwIytmKSdXWp6rrXLpaCopl2orq2t0bJkn6qfonqurdGloKerXw%3D%3D