Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed optimism that major league players will participate in the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympic baseball tournament. Speaking after an owners meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, Manfred emphasized that while discussions with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) remain ongoing, significant progress has been made toward finalizing an agreement.
The Olympic baseball competition will feature six teams and take place from July 13 to 19 at Dodger Stadium. To accommodate the event, MLB is planning an extended All-Star break from July 9 through July 21, with the All-Star Game likely scheduled for July 11 in San Francisco. Manfred highlighted the need to resolve remaining issues related to player contracts and insurance before confirming major leaguers’ participation.
Progress and Challenges in Securing Player Participation
Manfred acknowledged the positive momentum in negotiations with the MLBPA, noting that interest among players has grown, particularly given the unique marketing opportunity the Olympics present on U.S. soil. He remarked,
“I think we’re a lot closer to there than we were the last time we talked about it,”
he said. He further added,
“I sense a lot of momentum towards playing in LA in 2028. I think we are going to get over those issues. 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’ll get there.”
However, an agreement concerning insurance coverage for players’ contracts during their Olympic participation is essential. Without such guarantees, player involvement remains uncertain. The United States will automatically qualify for both the baseball and softball tournaments, with the top two other American nations earning spots through the World Baseball Classic (WBC) next month.
Previous Olympic Restrictions and Current Perspectives
During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, MLB did not permit players on 40-man rosters to participate, leading to a U.S. loss to Japan in the gold medal game. This restriction was partly due to Nippon Professional Baseball interrupting its season. Manfred suggested that the league’s approach could differ in 2028, especially given the event’s location and broader exposure benefits.
Regarding concerns about Casey Wasserman, the LA Olympic chairman recently scrutinized related to government files on Jeffrey Epstein, Manfred said,
“Look, our dealings are not with Casey. Our dealings are with the institution of the Olympics.”
Dodgers’ Investments Highlight Competitive Environment
The Los Angeles Dodgers recently enhanced their roster by acquiring star outfielder Kyle Tucker, adding to a roster that already includes some of the league’s highest-paid players. This fueled discussions on whether the collective bargaining negotiations will introduce a salary cap. Manfred stated that salary cap talks have not seen much progress yet.
Tucker, regarded as one of baseball’s elite right fielders, joins notable veterans alongside closer Edwin Díaz, elevating the Dodgers’ competitiveness. Manfred commented,
“Look, I think great teams are always good for baseball. 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 baseball.”
Labor negotiations aimed at establishing a new contract following the current deal’s December 1 expiration are expected to begin in the spring. Manfred described the process as underway but awaiting agreement with the MLBPA on scheduling, stating,
“We haven’t agreed on a calendar with the MLBPA and it does take two to tango, as they say, but historically after opening day we kind of get started.”
Insurance Concerns Affecting World Baseball Classic Participation
Manfred addressed the challenges related to insurance for MLB players taking part in the World Baseball Classic next month. Several high-profile players, such as Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa, were excluded from their national teams because the tournament’s insurer declined coverage for them. Manfred said,
“We like that, when they say they want to play, obviously. But then to have a problem with the insurance and the guy being unable to play, we recognize that. I’m just not sure that there is a way around it.”
The WBC is jointly managed by MLB and the MLBPA, with insurance provided by National Financial Partners. Manfred explained that financial protections were necessary to assure clubs that players could participate without jeopardizing team interests, stating,
“In order to get clubs comfortable with the idea that guys should play earlier in games they otherwise would not play, we had to protect them financially.”
Implementation of New Coaching Restrictions
MLB owners approved a rule change requiring first- and third-base coaches to stay within designated coaching boxes during games. This measure aims to prevent coaches from moving closer to home plate, positions from which they could potentially relay defensive signs they have observed.
Impact of Shifts in Regional Sports Network Landscape
Due to financial difficulties at Main Street Sports Group’s FanDuel Sports Network, MLB will handle local television broadcasts for at least 14 teams this season. Commissioner Manfred noted the declining regional sports network (RSN) market affects revenue growth, saying,
“The RSN situation has an impact on our revenue growth because the decline there is a drag on what is otherwise a growing industry. It is true that the smaller markets have been hit harder than the larger markets, which impacts revenue sharing. Having said both of those, I think longer term, our content is inherently valuable. We deliver tons of eyeballs, and I think when we have an opportunity to get to market in 2028, we’re going to be just fine.”
Regarding the broadcast contracts under the previous RSN arrangements, Manfred commented that the affected 14 teams are likely earning less than before, explaining,
“The key word there is old. The reason those contracts aren’t there anymore was they were not economic given the cord-cutting that’s going on.”
Changes in Team Ownership and Executive Council Additions
Ownership changes were approved for two MLB teams: Phil Castellini, the Cincinnati Reds CEO, succeeded his father, and Tom Pohlad, a Minnesota Twins board member, replaced his younger brother Bob as controlling owner. Regarding the ongoing sale of the San Diego Padres, Manfred noted,
“There is robust interest in what is viewed as a really appealing asset.”
The league also elected new members to its eight-person executive council, welcoming Milwaukee Brewers chairman Mark Attanasio and Baltimore Orioles controlling owner David Rubenstein. They replaced Arizona Diamondbacks managing general partner Ken Kendrick and Seattle Mariners chairman John Stanton. The council’s continuing members include San Francisco Giants chairman Greg Johnson, Cleveland Indians chairman Paul Dolan (term ending 2027), Miami Marlins chairman Bruce Sherman, Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno (term ending 2028), New York Mets chairman Steve Cohen, and Oakland Athletics managing partner John Fisher (term ending 2029).
Renewal of Corporate Partnerships and Broadcasting Agreements
Major League Baseball announced contract extensions with several key corporate partners, including Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., Comcast Corp., and Cox Communications Inc. These agreements cover continued distribution of the Extra Innings package, which provides out-of-market TV broadcasts to fans nationwide.
Significance of MLB’s Efforts Toward Olympic Inclusion
The ongoing negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA to secure player participation in the 2028 Olympics represent a major step in promoting baseball on an international stage, especially given the spotlight of the U.S.-hosted Games in Los Angeles. Success in finalizing these agreements could enhance the sport’s global profile and provide valuable exposure to a broad audience. The planned extended All-Star break and cooperation with broadcasters reflect MLB’s commitment to aligning its schedule accordingly.
Addressing insurance and labor concerns remains critical, and progress in these areas will likely influence the final roster makeup for the Olympic tournament. Additionally, MLB’s continued focus on competitive balance, regional sports broadcast strategies, and ownership transitions demonstrates its efforts to maintain strong foundations as it looks toward future growth opportunities.
