MLB Labor Dispute May Jeopardize 2028 Olympics Participation

A potential labor dispute in Major League Baseball that cancels games during the 2027 season could derail ongoing efforts to include top professional players in the baseball tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, according to the acting head of the players' union.

Bruce Meyer, recently appointed as acting executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, raised the concern during an interview Sunday night at the World Baseball Classic in Miami. Negotiations are underway between the MLBPA, Major League Baseball, the International Olympic Committee, the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the World Baseball Softball Confederation to organize a six-nation baseball competition at Dodger Stadium from July 13 to 19, 2028. The event would occur during an extended All-Star break, allowing select players to represent their countries without conflicting with the regular season.

The discussions come as MLB and the union prepare for collective bargaining to replace the current five-year labor agreement, which expires on December 1, 2026. Talks are set to begin in April or May of next year, with a management lockout...