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While the 2027 MLB season remains in limbo due to the pending collective bargaining agreement, a question two years from now is also at the forefront.
According to ESPN, the owners supported the idea of MLB players participating in the Olympics for the first time, but not without some wrinkles.
With owners already set to pause the season for nearly two weeks, there are disagreements over logistics, including hotels, tickets and a mandatory attendance agreement, the outlet said.
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Aaron Judge of Team USA reacts after the sixth inning during the World Baseball Classic semifinals game against the Dominican Republic at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida on March 15, 2026. (Gene Wang/Media Capture/Getty Images)
This latest proposal, ESPN said, is aimed at forcing some of soccer’s biggest stars to compete in the Olympics, and if anyone refused, they could be placed on the restricted list for nearly a month and not get paid.
The MLB Players Association, according to the report, strongly opposes the idea, saying MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred would be able to discipline players “for just cause.”
Ian Penny, special counsel to the MLBPA, said in an email last month that the organization “seeks fair treatment for its members in consideration of the substantial financial value they would bring to LA28.”
“Ideally, this consideration would closely align with value created and include direct compensation. However, what these proposals largely aim to accomplish is to prevent our members from losing money by participating, whether through expenses incurred or commercial rights lost, both individually and collectively. Given the significant financial benefits accruing to non-athlete stakeholders of the Games, we view these proposals as particularly modest and entirely reasonable,” Penny added.
Team Japan celebrates after the World Classic Baseball Championship final by defeating Team USA 3-2 at LoanDepot Park on March 21, 2023, in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
MLB OWNERS ALREADY PUSHING BACK TO FIRST PLAYERS CBA PROPOSAL AS WORK STOPMENT LACKS AFTER 2026 SEASON
Many players, including Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Mike Trout, who have all represented the United States in the WBC, have expressed great interest in competing in the Olympics.
It also remains unclear who would stay where if the deal goes through. The LA28 committee also told players that they could purchase two tickets per match they attend, but could “unlock” the ability to purchase more.
The LA28 committee has proposed 435 hotel rooms, while Major League Baseball has already reserved 200, 100 for its own players and another 100 for the Japanese national team, which is expected to qualify late next year. ESPN quoted four players as saying they would stay at the Olympic Village on the UCLA campus, while hotel rooms would be reserved for their families.
The six-team Olympic baseball tournament will be held at Dodger Stadium. The United States has already qualified as host nation, while the Dominican Republic and Venezuela qualified during the World Baseball Classic earlier this year.
Aaron Judge of Team USA stands with teammates before a game against Team Venezuela at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida on March 17, 2026. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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The six teams will be divided into two groups, with the winner of each receiving a bye to the semi-finals. The league would be closed for 11 days to accommodate the tournament as well as the previous All-Star Game.
The United States has made three consecutive WBC finals, winning in 2017 against Puerto Rico but losing in 2023 to Japan and this year to Venezuela.
