HENDERSON, NEV. ? Major league baseball players made it official, unanimously approving a new steroid agreement that toughens penalties and could result in a lifetime ban for a third offense.

The player’s association executive board, as expected, approved the deal worked out with management Nov. 15 under the threat of even tougher legislation from Congress.

Union head Donald Fehr said Thursday there was no need for all players to vote on the agreement because there were no real objections.

“We discussed it so much with the players that there is no need for it,” Fehr said. “The executive board has the authority, anyway.”

The approval came during the annual executive board meeting of the union, attended by 45-50 board members at a resort outside Las Vegas.

Baseball owners approved the same deal last month, and the union’s acceptance formalizes the pact reached in earlier negotiations.

Under the agreement, players will be suspended 50 games without pay for a first offense and 100 for a second offense. A third positive test would result in a lifetime ban.