L.A. Times:  ‘Ramirez Provision’ is banned

The “Ramirez Provision” is no more.

The Dodgers—and all other major league teams—cannot mandate that a player donate to club charities as part of his contract, the commissioner’s office and players’ union have agreed.

Michael Weiner, the executive director of the players’ union, said the agreement does not restrict players from making donations but ensures the choice is theirs.

“The goal here never has been to interfere with players making charitable contributions, which guys have a long history of doing,” Weiner said Wednesday.

As part of the $45-million contract he signed last March, Manny Ramirez agreed to donate $1 million to the Dodgers’ charitable foundation. Owner Frank McCourt said he would implement the “Ramirez Provision,” asking players to make a donation at an amount of their choosing as part of all future Dodgers contracts.

The union filed a grievance soon thereafter, alleging the Dodgers, Angels and 20 other teams had improperly mandated donations to club charities in the contracts of at least 109 players.