MLB and the MLBPA disagreeing is nothing new, seeing as both are already in talks for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement to avoid a lockout for the 2027 season.
The latest reported disagreement doesn’t concern next season but rather the 2028 Olympics, set to be hosted in Los Angeles.
Baseball is returning to the Olympics with a six-team tournament to be hosted at Dodger Stadium. The United States, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic have already qualified, but it is now uncertain which players will be available to participate if MLB and the MLBPA can’t come to an agreement.
The current disagreements, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, concern “hotel rooms, tickets and a mandatory-participation agreement.”
MLB’s current plan was to shut down the sport in the middle of the 2028 season for an All-Star break that included the Olympic tournament, giving an unprecedented break in the middle of the season.
The owners are in favor of the players participating, but the MLBPA is reportedly seeking an agreement similar to the deal between the International Olympic Committee, the NHL and the NHLPA to bring professional hockey players back to the sport after a 12-year absence.
Passan and ESPN reported that it isn’t just one issue between the two parties, but “a complex web of issues that include hotel rooms, tickets, insurance, NIL rights and the mandatory-participation agreement proposed by the league that would place players who run afoul of requirements on the restricted list, without pay or service time, from July 12 to Aug. 3.”
The MLBPA has a problem with the mandatory participation. MLB wants to showcase the best of the best the sport has to offer. If you look at the 2026 All-Star Game, several high-profile players have opted out after being voted in by fans.
Ian Penny, a lawyer and special advisor to the MLBPA, sent an email outlining what their side expects from the Olympics.
“The MLBPA is seeking fair treatment for its members in consideration for the substantial financial value they would bring to LA28.
Ideally, that consideration would closely align with the value created and include direct compensation. However, what these proposals are largely designed to accomplish is to prevent our members from losing money by participating, whether due to expenses incurred or commercial rights lost, both individually and collectively.
Given the significant financial benefits flowing to non-athlete stakeholders in the Games, we view these proposals as particularly modest and imminently (sic) reasonable.”
LA28’s vice president of sports, Niccolò Campriani, responded in an email late last week.
“While we do not anticipate further changes to the core teams reflected in the MOU, we are happy to discuss implementation details, work through questions around the edges, facilitate introductions where helpful/appropriate, and collaborate to make Olympic Baseball as successful as possible.
We believe this package appropriately recognizes the significance of MLB players participating in the LA28 Olympic Games while balancing the many interests involved.
No league is getting terms more favorable terms (sic) than this.”
The hope is that the two sides can reach an agreement to ensure MLB players will participate in the 2028 Olympics.
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper has been outspoken about what it would mean to suit up for the United States in Olympic baseball.
“It’s such a great opportunity for all athletes to come together in all different walks of life, all different cultures. I love it.
I think it’d be great. I hope it works out. I grew up watching the Summer Olympics. I was in one of the greatest eras of Olympics of all time. Michael Phelps — are you kidding me? There was nothing like it. Our women’s team swim team was incredible. Gymnastics floor. It’s everything. You got it all.
If I have an opportunity to put the American flag and USA on my chest again at the level of the Olympics, it would mean everything to me.
I’ve wanted it for a long time, and I would love to be there. You’re trying to grow this game internationally, and I don’t think there’s a better place to do that than the Olympics.”
While the two sides need to reach an agreement soon, it may not be as pressing as the possible lockout next year.
The Olympic tournament starts in over 700 days. The NHLPA didn’t agree to terms about players’ participation until 209 before the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
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