MLB-MLBPA Dispute Over 2028 Olympic Terms Threatens US Player Participation
As negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement loom for the 2027 season, disputes between Major League Baseball owners and the players’ union regarding the 2028 Olympics risk excluding top talent from the tournament at Dodger Stadium.
Disagreements between Major League Baseball (MLB) owners and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) over the terms for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are jeopardising the participation of professional players in the upcoming Games. The conflict centres on a complex web of issues including hotel accommodations, ticket allocations, insurance, NIL rights, and a controversial mandatory participation clause proposed by the league.
MLB supports player involvement and has proposed shutting down the sport during the middle of the 2028 season for an All-Star break that would include the Olympic tournament at Dodger Stadium. The league aims to showcase the best talent in the sport, but the MLBPA is resisting the league’s approach, seeking an agreement similar to the deal between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the NHL, and the NHLPA that allowed professional hockey players to return to the Olympics after a 12-year absence.
The core of the dispute lies in a mandatory participation agreement that would place players who fail to meet requirements on a restricted list without pay or service time from July 12 to August 3, 2028. This provision has drawn sharp criticism from the union, which argues that players should not face financial penalties for representing their country. Ian Penny, a lawyer and special advisor to the MLBPA, stated that the union expects fair treatment and direct compensation to prevent members from losing money due to expenses or lost commercial rights.
LA28 vice president of sports Niccolò Campriani responded to the union’s concerns, stating that the current package appropriately recognises the significance of MLB players’ participation. Campriani emphasised that no league is receiving more favourable terms than this and expressed willingness to discuss implementation details, though he noted that further changes to the core teams reflected in the memorandum of understanding are not anticipated.
Despite the uncertainty, high-profile players like Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper have expressed strong support for participating in the Olympics. Harper cited the opportunity to represent the United States and grow the game internationally as a primary motivator. With the Olympic tournament starting in over 700 days, the timeline for resolution is not as urgent as the potential lockout for the 2027 season, but the outcome remains critical for the six-team tournament in which the United States, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic have already qualified.
