The 2027 MLB season is still in limbo due to the ongoing collective bargaining agreement, but another issue is already 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 several wrinkles.
Logistical Disagreements
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-participation agreement. The latter proposal 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 get paid.
The MLB Players Association strongly opposes the idea, saying that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred would be able to discipline players “for just cause.” Ian Penny, a special advisor at the MLBPA, said in an email last month that the organization is “seeking fair treatment for its members in consideration for the substantial financial value they would bring to LA28.”
Player Interest
Many players, including Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Mike Trout, have expressed high interest in playing at the Olympics. The LA28 committee has also told players they could purchase two tickets per game in which they are participating but could “unlock” the potential to purchase 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 cited four players saying they would stay at the Olympic Village on UCLA’s campus, while the hotel rooms would be for their families.
The six-team Olympic baseball tournament will take 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.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
