Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has served Major League Baseball with a subpoena, launching an official investigation into potential civil rights violations. The legal action stems from MLB’s warning to three San Francisco Giants pitchers who inscribed Bible verses on their Pride Night caps. Uthmeier is examining whether the league selectively enforces rules to favor secular beliefs over religious expression.
The subpoena alleges that claiming non-discrimination while penalizing religious speech may violate the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. MLB maintains the warning was strictly a uniform code enforcement unrelated to religion. However, Uthmeier cites precedents where the league permitted cap messages for mass shooting tributes and Black Lives Matter patches, suggesting a double standard in policy application.
MLB must produce internal communications regarding the classification and decision-making process behind the warnings by July 23, 2026. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has also threatened similar legal action if Commissioner Robert Manfred fails to confirm that players will not face discipline for religious expressions or opting out of Pride Month events. These investigations directly impact four franchises across both states: the Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals.
