MLB Optimistic About 2028 Olympics Baseball, Faces Insurance Hurdles

Palm Beach, Florida – Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed optimism Thursday that major league players will participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, though logistical hurdles remain. Speaking after an owners’ meeting, Manfred indicated the league is significantly closer to an agreement with the MLB Players Association than in previous discussions.

“I think we’re a lot closer to it than the last time we talked about it,” Manfred said, acknowledging a growing willingness among owners to make participation a reality. “I think people have come to appreciate that the Olympics on U.S. Soil is a unique marketing opportunity for the game. I think we had a lot of players interested in doing it and, you know, I feel pretty good about the idea (that) we’re going to get there.”

The baseball tournament in Los Angeles is scheduled to run from July 13-19, 2028, at Dodger Stadium, the same venue that hosted baseball as a demonstration sport during the 1984 Los Angeles Games. MLB is currently planning for an extended All-Star break, spanning from July 9 to July 21, to accommodate both the All-Star Game – likely to be held in San Francisco on July 11 – and the Olympic competition. This would represent an extension of roughly two days from the typical All-Star break length of the past five seasons.

Reaching an agreement with the MLBPA remains a critical step. Beyond scheduling, a key sticking point revolves around insurance coverage for player contracts during their participation in the Olympics. Protecting teams financially in the event of injury during Olympic play is a priority.

“I see a big push to play in Los Angeles in 2028,” Manfred stated. “I think we’re going to overcome those issues.”

The United States will automatically qualify for both the baseball and softball tournaments. The other two American nations finishing in the top two spots at next month’s World Baseball Classic will also earn berths. This structure incentivizes strong performances in the WBC as a pathway to Olympic participation.

MLB previously declined to allow players on 40-man rosters to participate in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, a decision that allowed Nippon Professional Baseball to feature its players prominently. Japan defeated the United States 2-0 in the gold medal game. The potential for MLB participation in 2028 represents a significant shift in approach.

Manfred also addressed questions regarding Casey Wasserman, the president of the Los Angeles Games, and recent scrutiny surrounding his connections to Jeffrey Epstein. Manfred declined to comment directly on Wasserman, stating, “Our dealings are not with Casey. Our dealings are with the institution of the Olympic Games.”

Dodgers’ Spending and the Potential for a Salary Cap

The recent acquisition of star outfielder Kyle Tucker by the Los Angeles Dodgers, adding to an already high payroll, has reignited discussions about the potential implementation of a salary cap in Major League Baseball. Manfred acknowledged that talks regarding a salary cap have not progressed significantly.

“I think great teams are always good for baseball,” Manfred said. “But with respect to this great team in particular, it added to what we’ve been hearing from fans in many markets for a long time about the competitiveness of the game.”

Negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement to succeed the current one, which expires on December 1, are expected to begin this spring. Manfred indicated the league is preparing for those discussions.

World Baseball Classic Insurance Issues

Manfred also touched on the insurance challenges that arose during the roster selection process for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Several prominent players, including Puerto Ricans Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa, were unable to participate due to insurance complications.

“We like that, when they say they want to play, obviously,” Manfred said. “But then having an insurance issue and the guy not being able to play, we recognize that. I’m not sure there’s a way around it.”

The World Baseball Classic is jointly owned by MLB and the MLBPA, with insurance provided by National Financial Partners. The league recognizes the need to protect teams financially when players participate in international competitions outside of MLB control.

Rule Changes and Business Updates

Owners approved a rule change requiring first and third base coaches to remain within designated coaching boxes. This aims to prevent coaches from moving closer to home plate to potentially intercept signals from the opposing team.

MLB will also produce and distribute local television broadcasts for at least 14 teams this season following financial difficulties experienced by Main Street Sports Group’s FanDuel Sports Network. Manfred acknowledged the decline of regional sports networks (RSNs) is impacting league revenue, but remains optimistic about the long-term value of MLB content.

“The RSN situation has an impact on the growth of our income, since its decline is a drag on a sector that is otherwise growing,” Manfred stated. “It’s true that smaller markets have been hit harder than larger ones, which has an impact on revenue sharing. That said, I think in the long run our content is inherently valuable.”

Finally, the league approved extensions of its contract with Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. And agreements with Comcast Corp. And Cox Communications Inc. To carry the Extra Innings out-of-market television package.