
Former Yankees Pitcher Tanyon Sturtze Predicts MLB Lockout During Exclusive Interview on Biz Talk Today TV's Franchise Value
Sturtze joins host Shana Orczyk Sissel to deliver a candid warning about baseball's looming labor dispute, the salary-cap battle and the financial risks facing younger players.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CrossCheck Media Inc., parent company of Biz Talk Today TV (BTT), today announced the release of a special episode of its sports-business program, Franchise Value, featuring former Major League Baseball pitcher Tanyon Sturtze, who delivered a stark warning about the possibility of another MLB lockout as the league approaches a critical collective bargaining deadline.
In an exclusive conversation with host Shana Orczyk Sissel, CEO and Founder of Banríon Capital Management and author of the forthcoming book Tough Minded, Sturtze discussed the escalating tensions between Major League Baseball's owners and players, offering a rare insider's perspective on the financial and personal consequences of a prolonged labor dispute.
"Unfortunately, it's definitely coming," Sturtze said of a potential lockout. "I'm on the player's side, but that's going to be a tough battle for them."
The comments come as Major League Baseball approaches the December 1 expiration of its current collective bargaining agreement, with disagreements over a potential salary cap, payroll requirements and player compensation threatening to disrupt the sport's future.
Sturtze, a 12-year MLB veteran who played for the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers, drew upon his firsthand experience during baseball's 1994–95 labor dispute to explain why younger players could face the greatest financial consequences.
"The younger kids, they're gonna have a tough time if they do get locked up," Sturtze warned.
The episode also explores one of baseball's most controversial financial questions: Does spending more money actually produce championship teams?
Having experienced both the financial limitations of a smaller-market franchise and the enormous resources of the New York Yankees, Sturtze challenged the belief that payroll size alone determines success.
"Just because they have big payrolls doesn't mean that they have a good team," Sturtze told Sissel.
Beyond the potential labor dispute, the interview examines the business realities of professional baseball, including player salaries, the financial vulnerabilities of young athletes, clubhouse chemistry, career-ending injuries and the importance of protecting wealth after retirement.
Sturtze, now an insurance specialist with Hotaling Insurance, also discusses his transition from professional baseball into the insurance industry and the challenges athletes face when their playing careers end.
"I still need a job. I still need a paycheck," Sturtze said, emphasizing that even a lengthy professional sports career does not guarantee lifetime financial security.
The special episode reinforces Franchise Value's commitment to delivering insightful conversations with athletes, executives and financial professionals about the business decisions shaping professional sports.
The complete episode featuring Tanyon Sturtze is now available on Biz Talk Today TV and the CrossCheck Media YouTube channel.
About Franchise Value
Franchise Value is a sports-business program produced by CrossCheck Media Inc. and distributed through Biz Talk Today TV. Hosted by Shana Orczyk Sissel, CEO and Founder of Banríon Capital Management, the program examines the financial forces driving professional sports, including franchise valuations, ownership structures, private equity, athlete compensation, media rights and the economics of professional leagues.
About Biz Talk Today TV
Biz Talk Today TV (BTT), a CrossCheck Media Inc. property, is a global business and financial news network delivering original programming focused on Wall Street, economics, investing, public policy and the business of sports. BTT reaches audiences worldwide through major streaming platforms, including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TV, LG TV, Whale TV and YouTube, alongside its dedicated mobile application and global audio distribution network.
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SOURCE CrossCheck Media Inc.
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