MLB proposes mandatory 2028 Olympic participation, threatens penalties

Major League Baseball is seeking to require players selected for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic baseball tournament to participate. The league’s proposal would place any player who declines without an approved exemption on the restricted list, stripping pay and service time for roughly 25 days (July 10 – August 3). Players on the injured list would be exempt and would continue to receive salary and service credit. The plan also bars clubs, agents and executives from discouraging players from attending.

The MLB Players Association has called the measure “extreme,” and negotiations are ongoing among MLB, the MLBPA, the LA28 organizing committee, the International Olympic Committee and the World Baseball Softball Confederation. Disputed issues include hotel accommodations, ticket allocations, insurance and NIL rights. The league intends to pause the regular season for an 11‑day All‑Star break, with the Olympic tournament scheduled for July 13‑19 at Dodger Stadium and regular‑season play resuming July 21.

The United States, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela have already qualified for the Olympic baseball event, with additional spots to be decided through future qualifiers. The dispute could affect broader collective‑bargaining talks and raise the risk of a lockout for the 2027 season.