Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed growing confidence Thursday that major league players will participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, marking a potential shift in the league’s stance on player participation in the Games.
Speaking following an owners meeting, Manfred indicated that progress had been made in discussions with the Major League Baseball Players Association regarding the logistical and contractual hurdles to player involvement. While issues remain, he stated, “I consider we’re a lot closer to there than we were the last time we talked about it,” according to reports from Fox Sports.
The baseball tournament is scheduled to run from July 13-19 at Dodger Stadium, coinciding with an extended All-Star break MLB is planning between July 9 and July 21. The All-Star Game itself is likely to be held in San Francisco on July 11. This scheduling adjustment is intended to facilitate player participation without significantly disrupting the regular season.
A key sticking point remains an agreement with the MLBPA. Manfred acknowledged the need for a deal to address concerns surrounding player contracts and insurance coverage during Olympic competition. “I sense a lot of momentum towards playing in LA in 2028,” he said, adding that he believes the unique marketing opportunity presented by the Olympics on U.S. Soil is gaining appreciation within the league and among players.
MLB previously prohibited players on 40-man rosters from participating 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 2028 Games will offer the United States an automatic berth in both the baseball and softball tournaments, with the top two finishers from the Americas in next month’s World Baseball Classic likewise earning qualifying spots.
The league is optimistic that player interest will be high, with Manfred noting that “a lot of players [are] interested in doing it.” Though, no formal agreement has been reached, and the MLBPA has not publicly commented on Manfred’s latest statements.
