Sources: MLB in LA28 facing hurdles with MLBPA
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- MLB has secured owner support to allow big league players to participate in the 2028 Olympics and plans to shut down the season for 11 days, including holding the All-Star Game on the West Coast ahead of the tournament at Dodger Stadium
- MLBPA has rejected MLB's proposed mandatory-participation agreement that would place non-compliant players on the restricted list without pay or service time from July 12 to August 3, opposing both compulsory involvement and Commissioner Rob Manfred’s disciplinary powers
- LA28 offered 435 additional hotel rooms beyond those reserved by MLB and the Japanese team and proposed a memorandum of understanding allowing athletes to purchase two tickets per game, with potential for more, but the MLBPA pushed back seeking fairer terms
- Ian Penny, a top lawyer and special adviser at the MLBPA, stated in a June 26 email that the union seeks fair treatment and ideally direct compensation for players, emphasizing that proposals should prevent members from losing money due to expenses or lost commercial rights
- Niccolò Campriani, LA28's vice president of sports, affirmed in a late-week email that while core terms won't change, the organization is open to discussing implementation details and collaboration to ensure Olympic Baseball's success, noting no league is getting more favorable terms
- Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber expressed strong personal desire to represent the U.S. in the Olympics, citing national pride and the event's cultural significance, reflecting growing player enthusiasm following the 2026 World Baseball Classic's success
- MLB proposed starting the 2028 regular season on March 23 to accommodate the Olympic break, aiming to avoid extending the postseason into November, as it seeks to leverage the Games to grow the sport ahead of its expiring national TV deal
Why it matters: The MLBPA’s resistance to MLB’s mandatory participation framework puts Olympic baseball at risk despite owner and player interest, with a lack of direct compensation and player protections creating a material barrier. Without a deal, MLB forfeits a rare chance to showcase its stars globally at a time when international growth and media rights value are at stake.
