MLB Gathers Support From Owners to Allow Big League Players to Participate in Olympics
The 2028 Summer Games are just two years away. However, Major League Baseball is still attempting to finalize some necessary decisions regarding player involvement in the global tournament. The latest development? The MLB has gathered support from owners to allow big league players to participate in the Olympics for the first time.
This is no small feat. If you are familiar with the World Baseball Classic, you understand the apprehension owners have had when allowing players to participate in outside competitions. Especially, during the season when injuries could occur.
Nonetheless, with sports leagues in America wanting to have more of a global imprint. Allowing big name players to participate in the Olympics could possibly help grow the game in other nations. This is an opportunity that now the MLB does not want to completely dismiss.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, some progress is at long last being made. Passan reports,
“News: MLB has support from owners to allow big leaguers to participate in the Olympics for the first time, but disagreements with the MLBPA have jeopardized the players’ involvement in the 2028 LA Games, sources told ESPN.
Emails and documents obtained by ESPN illustrate the conflict between the parties that has spanned months and left officials at LA28 seeking a prompt resolution. MLB likewise has pushed for clarity, sources said, as it plans to shut down the sport for 11 days to accommodate an All-Star Game on the West Coast that would precede the six-team tournament scheduled to be played at Dodger Stadium.”
MLB Early Stages to Allow Players to Participate in 2028 Olympics For First Time
What are some of these “disagreements?” What might be holding up the show? Apparently, while stronger support has gathered for players to participate in 2028, disagreements with the MLBPA over hotel rooms, NIL Rights, tickets and a mandatory-participation agreement have complicated their involvement in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. This agreement proposed by the league would place players who run afoul of requirements on the restricted list, without pay or service time, from July 12 to Aug. 3. Regarding this Passan adds,
“The MLBPA strongly opposes a deal that would allow placement on the restricted list as well as commissioner Rob Manfred’s ability in the agreement “to discipline for just cause” with “a fine and/or unpaid suspension,” according to the league’s proposal.
The union has not responded with its own proposal to address participation, sources said.”
There is another scheduling issue to resolve as well. And that has to do with 2028’s All-Star Game. However, Bruce Meyer of the MLBPA in his remarks Tuesday morning to press mentioned that he remains under the impression that the 2028 All-Star Game would be in San Francisco to accommodate the Olympics in LA in 2028. “As far as I know San Francisco is the site.”
MLB Gathers Support From Owners to Allow Big League Players to Participate in Olympics
Therefore, as the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles get closer, obviously more announcements and decisions will be announced. But right now player participation in the 2028 Olympics remains at a very early stage.
Phillies star Bryce Harper, a longtime advocate of big leaguers in the Olympics hopes it all can come together. He says, “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 swim team was incredible. Gymnastics floor. It’s everything. You got it all.” Yes, it would be great to see MLB players in the Olympics.
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