PALM BEACH, Fla. — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed optimism that major league players will participate in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Speaking after Thursday’s owners meeting, Manfred acknowledged ongoing discussions with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) but believes the league is closer to an agreement than before.
The Six Nations Baseball Tournament is set to take place at Stadium from July 13 to 19. MLB intends to lengthen the All-Star break from July 9 to July 21, with the All-Star Game likely to be hosted in San Francisco on July 11. However, an agreement with the players’ union is still necessary.
Manfred emphasized the strong momentum toward MLB’s Olympic participation in 2028, citing the unique marketing opportunity of hosting the Games on U.S. soil and the evident interest from athletes. Additionally, insurance agreements must be finalized to cover contracts for players joining the Olympic team.
The United States will secure automatic spots in both the baseball and softball events, while the other top two American teams will qualify through the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC). Nippon Professional Baseball suspended its season, and MLB restricted 40 registered players from joining the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where Japan won gold by defeating the U.S. 2-0.
When asked about Casey Wasserman, a prominent figure and president of the Los Angeles Games recently mentioned in government files criticizing Jeffrey Epstein, Manfred declined to comment, stating the league’s negotiations are with the Olympic organization, not Wasserman.
In team news, the Los Angeles have boosted their payroll to the highest in baseball by adding star outfielder Kyle Tucker and closer Edwin Diaz. This move has reignited discussions about a potential salary cap in upcoming collective bargaining talks, though Manfred noted no significant progress has been made yet.
Manfred also addressed insurance challenges affecting MLB players’ participation in next month’s WBC, with several top stars excluded from rosters because of coverage restrictions. The tournament is jointly organized by MLB and the MLBPA, with insurance provided by National Financial Partners. Clubs require financial protection to agree to early player participation.
A new rule was approved requiring first and third base coaches to remain in designated coaching boxes, preventing them from moving closer to home plate to relay signals.
Due to financial struggles faced by Main Street Sports Group’s FanDuel Sports Network, MLB will produce and distribute local broadcasts for at least 14 teams this season. Manfred noted the regional sports network (RSN) decline is affecting MLB’s revenue growth, especially in smaller markets, but he remains confident in the long-term value of the league’s content, especially with the upcoming 2028 Olympics.
Ownership changes were approved for the Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins, with Phil Castellini succeeding his father and Tom Pohlad taking over from his brother, respectively. Manfred also highlighted strong interest in the sale process of the San Diego Padres.
Milwaukee chairman Mark Attanasio and Baltimore owner David Rubenstein joined MLB’s eight-member executive council, replacing Arizona’s Ken Kendrick and Seattle’s John Stanton. The council includes representatives from several other teams with terms expiring between 2027 and 2029.
MLB sanctioned a contract with Anheuser-Busch and extended deals with Comcast and Cox Communications to broadcast extra innings packages on out-of-market television.
Fan Take: This update signals exciting developments for baseball fans, especially with MLB pushing for Olympic inclusion in 2028, enhancing the sport’s global appeal. Additionally, the ’ aggressive roster moves and ongoing labor negotiations hint at a competitive and evolving landscape for the future of baseball.
