Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) are in the early stages of negotiations regarding the inclusion of big-league players in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. While both parties have expressed mutual interest in the prospect, the league has proposed a mandatory participation clause that has drawn sharp criticism from the players’ union. According to reports, the league’s proposal includes stiff disciplinary measures for any player selected to participate who chooses to decline without an approved excuse. MLBPA executive director Bruce Meyer characterized the league’s proposed penalties as “extreme.”
The League’s Proposed Penalties and Restrictions
Under the league’s proposal, players who are selected for the Olympics but decline to participate would be placed on the restricted list from July 10 through August 3, 2028. During this period, these players would not receive a salary or service time. The league also maintains that players could be subject to undisclosed fines. To prevent teams and players from using a “phantom IL” stint as a workaround to skip the Games, the league included specific requirements for injured players. While a player on the injured list as of July 9 would be excused from the mandatory participation requirement, they would be barred from returning to regular-season play or starting a rehab assignment until August 4, regardless of their health or readiness to play.
Rationale for Mandatory Participation
Commissioner Rob Manfred has defended the proposal by emphasizing that the 2028 Olympics represent a “unique opportunity to market the sport” with the league’s top talent. He noted that because the Olympic baseball tournament would disrupt the regular-season schedule, the league wants assurance that the best players will be present. “It is a disruptive undertaking for us,” Manfred said. “If we’re disrupting an entire season and we’re going to undertake that effort, we want our very best out there, so that people see how great our game really is.” Manfred distinguished this from the World Baseball Classic (WBC), which is an optional event held during Spring Training. He stated that because the Olympics occur during the regular season, players would otherwise be participating in major league games if not for the Olympic break.
Logistical and Structural Challenges
Beyond the debate over mandatory participation, several logistical hurdles remain before a formal agreement can be reached. Negotiations currently involve complexities regarding hotel amenities, ticket allocations for players, and travel accommodations. According to MLB spokesperson Glen Caplin, the union has been engaged in separate negotiations with LA28 regarding these economic issues, which has delayed their formal response to the league’s participation proposal. The proposed schedule for the 2028 season includes:
- July 9: Conclusion of the first half of the regular season.
- July 11: All-Star Game (expected to be held in San Francisco).
- July 13–19: Olympic baseball tournament.
- July 21: Resumption of the MLB regular season.
The Olympic baseball tournament is slated to feature a six-team field. The United States, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic have already secured spots, with the remaining three berths to be decided by future qualifying tournaments.
The Future of Negotiations
While the union has yet to provide an official response to the mandatory participation clause, Meyer indicated that the MLBPA plans to submit a counterproposal. In addition to the disciplinary framework, insurance issues—which have previously prevented some players from participating in the WBC—remain a potential point of contention that must be resolved to ensure the participation of the league’s marquee talent.
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