The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) has received a significant lawsuit from Rimas Sports, the sports agency founded by Bad Bunny and his partners, Noah Assad and Jonathan Miranda.
The legal action, filed on Thursday in federal court in San Juan, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict between the innovative sports agency and the powerful players' union. According to documents obtained by Puerto Rico's leading newspaper, El Nuevo Día, Rimas Sports is seeking a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction against the MLBPA.
Bad Bunny's agency accuses the MLBPA of exceeding its authority and violating provisions of the National Labor Relations Act. The lawsuit highlights what Rimas Sports describes as a discriminatory, biased, and predetermined investigation by the MLBPA, aimed at permanently driving the agency out of the market.
Rimas Sports vs. the MLBPA
"Over nearly two years, the MLBPA scrutinized the agency in a discriminatory, biased, and predetermined investigation, all designed to put Rimas Sports out of business permanently," Rimas Sports stated in its complaint. "From late April 2022 to February 2024, the MLBPA worked to eliminate Rimas Sports from the sports agency market, intentionally preventing certified agents from working with Rimas Sports in any capacity."
In April, U.S. media reports indicated that Rimas Sports was fined $400,000 by the MLBPA following complaints that some of the agency's employees were acting as agents without proper certification. Additionally, allegations surfaced that Rimas Sports employees offered money, cars, and other incentives to players to entice them to switch agencies.
The lawsuit, filed under the name Diamond Sports, LLC d/b/a Rimas Sports against the MLBPA, essentially argues that the union's leadership is trying to eliminate Rimas Sports from representing players. The complaint points out that the MLBPA has prohibited any certified agent from associating, affiliating, or working with Rimas Sports, Rimas Entertainment, or any other entity owned by Bad Bunny and his partners Noah Assad and Jonathan Miranda.
What is Rimas Sports?
Rimas Sports, launched last year with Jonathan Miranda as president, Rimas Sports quickly built an impressive roster of players.
Rimas Sports just announced today that the agency has signed Ronald Acuña Jr. for representation. Acuña Jr., 26, is an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves and one of the top big-leaguers in recent years.
"We are thrilled to welcome the Acuña family to Rimas Sports," said Jonathan Miranda, CEO of Rimas Sports. "Ronald is a once-in-a-generation player, and we are confident that together we will take his extraordinary career to new heights."
Other notable names represented by Rimas include Francisco Álvarez and Ronny Mauricio from the New York Mets, Santiago Espinal from the Cincinnati Reds, Yonathan Daza from the Colorado Rockies, Wilmer Flores from the San Francisco Giants, Jordan Díaz from the Oakland Athletics, and Liván Soto from the Baltimore Orioles. This year, Puerto Rican star Eddie Rosario also joined the agency.
The legal battle between Rimas Sports and the MLBPA is poised to have significant implications for the sports agency landscape.
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