PALM BEACH, Fla. — Major League Baseball is nearing an agreement to include its players in the 2028 Olympics, but Commissioner Rob Manfred says the ongoing controversy surrounding LA28 chief Casey Wasserman won’t factor into the league’s final decision.
“Our dealings are not with Casey,” Manfred stated Thursday at the MLB owners’ meetings. “Our dealings are with the institution of the Olympics.”
The statement came amid a flurry of activity on Wednesday, including artists severing ties with Wasserman’s talent agency and a growing chorus of civic leaders calling for his resignation. Despite this, the LA28 executive committee issued a statement backing Wasserman.
Recently released emails have linked Wasserman to Jeffrey Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. The board commissioned a law firm to investigate, and the review reportedly found no behavior beyond what was already known: a “single interaction with Epstein” on a flight for a humanitarian mission and emails with Maxwell, both occurring two decades ago, before the full extent of their “deplorable crimes” became public.
“Based on these facts, as well as the strong leadership he has exhibited over the past ten years, Mr. Wasserman should continue to lead LA28 and deliver a safe and successful Games,” the committee’s statement read.
Epstein died by suicide following his indictment on sex trafficking charges in 2019, and Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021.
Manfred declined to comment on whether an association with Wasserman could be detrimental to baseball, stating, “I’m going to pass on that one. People much closer to that situation are better to opine on that.”
Mark Attanasio, the Los Angeles-based owner of the Milwaukee Brewers and a member of the LA28 executive committee, said he would let the committee’s statement stand on its own.
While baseball has participated in the Olympics before, those teams were comprised of minor leaguers and college players, as MLB previously declined to interrupt its season for major league participation.
MLB players frequently travel to Los Angeles, and Wasserman has actively pitched Manfred and MLB owners on the benefits of featuring major leaguers, particularly as the league seeks to expand its international appeal.
“What an incredible opportunity to elevate the sport in a city where you have one of the great cathedrals of the sport,” Wasserman said last year. “There is no better chance to tell the global story of baseball than from the Olympics in Los Angeles. They understand that. We could have another Dream Team, or two, depending on the countries. That is a vehicle to tell the story of baseball around the world, and that is really powerful.”
MLB and LA28 officials have tentatively scheduled the All-Star Game for its usual mid-July slot in 2028, most likely in San Francisco, followed by a six-day, six-team Olympic baseball tournament at Dodger Stadium.
“I think people have come to appreciate that the Olympics on U.S. soil is a unique marketing opportunity for the game,” Manfred said Thursday. “We’ve got a lot of players interested in doing it, and I feel pretty good about the idea we’ll get there.”
Are the Dodgers’ Spending Habits Good for Baseball?
Outfielder Kyle Tucker adjusts his Dodgers cap during his introductory news conference at Dodger Stadium on Jan. 21.
(Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times)
The Dodgers’ recent signing of outfielder Kyle Tucker – for $60 million per year – has reignited debate over whether the team’s aggressive spending is ultimately beneficial for Major League Baseball.
“I think great teams are always good for baseball,” Manfred said. “I think, with respect to this particular great team, it added to what we have been hearing from fans in a lot of markets for a long time about the competitiveness of the game. But great teams are always good for baseball.”
MLB officials have repeatedly pointed to fan concerns over competitive balance in the past year, setting the stage for an anticipated push for a salary cap. Manfred declined to discuss the owners’ labor strategy but indicated that negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement are expected to begin after opening day, and he will refrain from commenting on MLB proposals until they are presented to the players’ union.
The current agreement expires Dec. 1, and a lockout is widely anticipated.
Angels Fans Still in the Dark About TV Broadcasts
Angels star Mike Trout celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Houston Astros on Sept. 28 in Anaheim.
(Wally Skalij / Associated Press)
As the Angels begin spring training, fans are left wondering where they’ll be able to watch games this season.
The Angels have agreed to a streaming option through MLB, but are still deciding whether to allow MLB to sell their broadcasts to cable and satellite providers or revive the FanDuel Sports channel, which is partially owned by the team along with the Kings.
The Angels’ predicament isn’t unique. Three years ago, no MLB teams offered broadcast services. Now, with the decline of traditional cable and satellite, MLB provides services for 14 of its 30 teams—potentially 15 if the Angels choose to participate.
In 2028, Manfred envisions selling national streaming packages, hoping increased competition will drive up revenue, a critical need for teams facing declining guaranteed rights fees. The challenge lies in persuading teams like the Dodgers to relinquish their lucrative local rights in favor of a 30-team national package.
“Ideally, I’d love to get there,” Manfred said. “I don’t need to get all the way there to accomplish most of what I am thinking about.”
Manfred suggested Thursday that one way to achieve this is by having owners vote to classify more games—from the Dodgers or any other team—as national rather than local.
“We can take as many games as we want from any club in a national package,” Manfred said, “with a majority vote of the clubs.”
