Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association are locked in high-stakes negotiations over mandatory Olympic participation for 2028, with the league proposing fines and a restricted list for players who decline selection, while the union calls the terms “extreme” and vows to push back.
Major League Baseball’s proposal to require players to participate in the 2028 Olympics or face penalties has ignited a fiery clash with the MLB Players Association, with both sides scrambling to align their priorities ahead of the Los Angeles Games. The league’s plan, first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, includes a restricted list for players who skip the Olympics without an approved excuse, effectively barring them from regular-season play until August 3, 2028. The Players Association’s executive director, Bruce Meyer, has called the proposal “extreme,” while Commissioner Rob Manfred insists the measure is necessary to ensure “our very best” players represent the sport on the global stage.
The Mandatory Participation Proposal: Fines, Restricted Lists, and Suspension
The core of the dispute centers on MLB’s proposal to make Olympic participation mandatory for selected players. Players who decline the Olympics without an excused absence—such as an injury—would be placed on a restricted list from July 10 to August 3, 2028, losing both pay and service time. Even players on the injured list would face a catch: they could not return to regular-season action until August 4, regardless of recovery. This aims to prevent teams from using injuries to sidestep Olympic obligations.
The league’s proposal also allows for fines and additional restrictions for players who skip the Olympics, even if they participate in the All-Star Game. Players selected for both the All-Star Game and the Olympics would face a restricted list if they decline the Games, starting the day after the All-Star event.
Union Pushback: ‘Extreme’ Terms and a Fight for Player Autonomy
The MLB Players Association has rejected the league’s approach, with executive director Bruce Meyer calling the proposal “extreme” and warning that it risks alienating players. “The proposals that they made in terms of what the discipline would be, the ramifications if a player doesn’t want to do that, in our view, are extreme,” Meyer told reporters. The union is in “a very early stage of discussions” with MLB, and has yet to offer a formal counterproposal.
While Manfred argues that the Olympics are a “unique opportunity to market the sport with our very, very best players,” the union fears the proposal could deter star athletes from participating, particularly those with family or health concerns. “We want our very best out there so that people see how great our game really is,” Manfred said, but the union’s resistance suggests the path to agreement remains uncertain.
Scheduling Conflicts and the Olympic Tournament Structure
The logistics of integrating the Olympics into the 2028 MLB season have further complicated negotiations. The league’s tentative plan would see the regular season pause on July 9, with the All-Star Game on July 11 and the Olympic baseball tournament running from July 13 to 19. The season would resume on July 21.
The Olympic baseball tournament itself will feature six teams, with the U.S., Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic already qualified. The remaining three spots will be determined by future tournaments. The union has also raised concerns about the lack of clarity around the All-Star Game’s location, with San Francisco expected to host the 2028 event due to its proximity to Los Angeles.
What’s Next: Negotiations, Uncertainty, and the Path to Agreement
With both sides still in the early stages of talks, the outcome of the negotiations remains unclear. The Players Association has not yet responded to MLB’s proposal, and the league has not provided a timeline for resolution. Negotiations also involve travel and accommodation issues with LA28.
For now, the focus remains on whether MLB can balance its global ambitions with player interests. As Manfred put it, “It is a disruptive undertaking for us … If we’re disrupting an entire season and we’re going to undertake that effort, we want our very best out there.” Whether that vision aligns with the Players Association’s priorities—and whether players will accept the proposed penalties—will determine whether the 2028 Olympics become a landmark moment for baseball or a flashpoint in the league’s relationship with its stars.
Find more reporting in our Sport section.
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