SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court has expanded a lawsuit by minor league baseball players alleging they are being paid less than minimum wage.
Players sued major league teams in February 2014, claiming most earn less than $7,500 annually, in violation of several laws. Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero granted class-action status to a California class of players in March 2017 but denied the status to Arizona and Florida classes.
In a 2-1 decision Friday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said class-action status should be given to the Arizona and Florida classes too and sent the case back to U.S. District Court for additional proceedings.
Judges Richard A. Paez and Michael R. Murphy, both appointed by President Bill Clinton, voted to expand the classes in a decision written by Paez. Circuit Judge Sandra S. Ikuta, appointed by President George W. Bush, dissented. Murphy, a 10th Circuit senior judge, sat by designation.
Major League Baseball declined comment. Garrett Broshuis, a former minor leaguer who is a lawyer for the players, did not respond to a message seeking comment.