Members of Japan's pro baseball players union met with officials of Nippon Professional Baseball's 12 teams on Monday over the union's participation in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, but no progress was made.
The union stuck to its stance that it will not take part under the current system in which all sponsorship and broadcast revenues are pooled together to be shared by all participating organizations.
NPB has already agreed to take part in the tournament that is organized by WBC Inc. Japan won the first WBC in 2006 and the second edition in 2009.
At Wednesday's meeting, NPB's side explained once more in detail about the plan to create a permanent body called the "Samurai Japan Project" that will guarantee revenue. The union, however, stuck to its resolution of July 20 that it will not participate as long as WBC Inc. denies the rights of Japan to its own sponsorship revenues.
"We explained that the players' stance is firm," said Toru Matsubara, the secretary general of the Nippon Professional Baseball Players Association.
Hiroshima Carp executive Kiyoaki Suzuki, who chairs the committee on players relations, said, "The players union is unyielding. If things continue as they are, we won't take part. We need to discuss how we can take action."
On Friday, the representatives of the 12 teams will discuss strategies to bring the players on board and has indicated its determination to continue negotiating with WBC Inc.