MLB 'partners' with independent leagues

A partnership implies some semblance of balance, but MLB holds all the cards due to its antitrust exemption.

Major League Baseball announced on Wednesday that the Atlantic League became an official designated “Partner League.” On Thursday, MLB announced the same of the American Association and Frontier League.

Previously, the three organizations were run independently of MLB. MLB has been one of only a few businesses allowed to operate as a monopoly, so it neve…