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With the 2027 MLB season remaining in limbo due to the ongoing collective bargaining agreement, a question of two years is also on the horizon.
According to ESPN, owners have supported the idea of MLB players participating in the Olympics for the first time, but not without plenty of wrinkles.
While the owners are already set to shut down 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 United States reacts after the sixth inning during the World Baseball Classic semifinal game against the Dominican Republic at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida on March 15, 2026. (Gene Wang/Capture At Media/Getty Images)
The latter proposal, ESPN said, aims to force some of the game’s biggest stars to play in the Olympics, and if someone declined, they could be placed on the restricted list for nearly a month and not be paid.
The MLB Players Association strongly opposes the idea, according to the report, saying MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred would be able to discipline players “for just cause.”
Ian Penny, a special counsel at the MLBPA, said in an email last month that the organization “seeks fair treatment of its members given the significant financial value they would bring to LA28.”
“Ideally, this consideration would be close to the value created and include direct compensation. However, what these proposals are largely designed to achieve is to prevent our members from losing money by participating, whether due to expenses incurred or lost commercial rights, both individually and collectively. Given the significant financial benefits that flow to non-athletes, these athletes, especially stakeholders and stakeholders, are reasonable,” he added. Penny.
Team Japan celebrates after the final of the World Baseball Classic Championship defeating Team USA 3-2 at loanDepot park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Many players, including Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Mike Trout, who have all represented the United States in the WBC, have expressed strong interest in playing in the Olympics.
It also remains to be seen who would stay where if the trade goes through. The LA28 committee has also told players that they could buy two tickets per game. games they participate in, but could “unlock” the potential to buy more.
The LA28 committee has offered 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 live in the Olympic Village on UCLA’s campus, while the hotel rooms would be for their families.
The six-team Olympic baseball tournament takes place at Dodger Stadium. The United States has already qualified as the host nation, while the Dominican Republic and Venezuela qualified during the World Baseball Classic earlier this year.
Aaron Judge of Team United States 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 getting a bye to the semi-finals. The league would shut down for 11 days to accommodate the tournament as well as the preceding All-Star Game.
The United States has played in three consecutive WBC finals, winning in 2017 over Puerto Rico, but losing in 2023 to Japan and this year to Venezuela.
