MLB players, owners at odds over potential Olympic participation, including punishment for declining: report
As the 2027 MLB season remains in limbo due to the ongoing collective bargaining agreement, an issue two years from now is also at the forefront.According to ESPN, owners have supported the idea of MLB players participating in the Olympics for the first time, but not without plenty of wrinkles.While the owners are already set to shut down the season for nearly two weeks, there are disagreements over logistics, including hotels, tickets and a mandatory-participation agreement, the outlet said.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThe latter proposal, ESPN said, aims to force some of the game's biggest stars to play in the Olympics, and if someone declined, they could be placed on the restricted list for nearly a month and not get paid.The MLB Players Association, according to the report, strongly opposes the idea, saying that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred would be able to discipline players "for just cause."Ian Penny, a special advisor at the MLBPA, said in an email last month that the organization is "seeking fair treatment for its members in consideration for the substantial financial value they would bring to LA28.""Ideally, that consideration would closely align with the value created and include direct compensation. However, what these proposals are largely designed to accomplish is to prevent our members from losing money by participating, whether due to expenses incurred or commercial rights lost, both individually and collectively.
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As the 2027 MLB season remains in limbo due to the ongoing collective bargaining agreement, an issue two years from now is also at the forefront.According to ESPN, owners have supported the idea of MLB players participating in the Olympics for the first time, but not without plenty of wrinkles.While the owners are already set to shut down the season for nearly two weeks, there are disagreements over logistics, including hotels, tickets and a mandatory-participation agreement, the outlet said.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThe latter proposal, ESPN said, aims to force some of the game's biggest stars to play in the Olympics, and if someone declined, they could be placed on the restricted list for nearly a month and not get paid.The MLB Players Association, according to the report, strongly opposes the idea, saying that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred would be able to discipline players "for just cause."Ian Penny, a special advisor at the MLBPA, said in an email last month that the organization is "seeking fair treatment for its members in consideration for the substantial financial value they would bring to LA28.""Ideally, that consideration would closely align with the value created and include direct compensation. However, what these proposals are largely designed to accomplish is to prevent our members from losing money by participating, whether due to expenses incurred or commercial rights lost, both individually and collectively. Given the significant financial benefits flowing to non-athlete stakeholders in the Games, we view these proposals as particularly modest and imminently reasonable," Penny added.MLB OWNERS ALREADY PUSHING BACK ON PLAYERS' FIRST CBA PROPOSAL AS WORK STOPPAGE LOOMS AFTER 2026 SEASONMany players, including Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Mike Trout, all of whom have represented the USA in the WBC, have expressed high interest in playing at the Olympics.It also remains to be seen who would stay where if the deal goes through. The LA28 committee has also told players they could purchase two tickets per game in which they are participating but could "unlock" the potential to purchase more.The LA28 committee has offered 435 hotel rooms, while Major League Baseball has already reserved 200 — 100 for its own players and another 100 for the Japanese national team, which is expected to qualify late next year.
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Why it matters
2 outlets are covering this world story — one to watch as reporting develops.
- What's the story?
- As the 2027 MLB season remains in limbo due to the ongoing collective bargaining agreement, an issue two years from now is also at the forefront.According to ESPN, owners have supported the idea of MLB players participating in the Olympics for the first time, but not without plenty of wrinkles.While the owners are already set to shut down the season for nearly two weeks, there are disagreements over logistics, including hotels, tickets and a mandatory-participation agreement, the outlet said.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThe latter proposal, ESPN said, aims to force some of the game's biggest stars to play in the Olympics, and if someone declined, they could be placed on the restricted list for nearly a month and not get paid.The MLB Players Association, according to the report, strongly opposes the idea, saying that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred would be able to discipline players "for just cause."Ian Penny, a special advisor at the MLBPA, said in an email last month that the organization is "seeking fair treatment for its members in consideration for the substantial financial value they would bring to LA28.""Ideally, that consideration would closely align with the value created and include direct compensation. However, what these proposals are largely designed to accomplish is to prevent our members from losing money by participating, whether due to expenses incurred or commercial rights lost, both individually and collectively.
- How widely is it covered?
- 2 outlets, average source rating 6.0/10.
- When was it last updated?
- 1m ago.
How outlets are framing the same story
Here's how each outlet is covering the story — compare their headlines and timing at a glance.
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MLB players, owners at odds over potential Olympic participation, including punishment for declining: report
Sources1TypeCoverageFox News Latest
- Coverage card1 outlet2CoverageScouting report
Sources: MLB in LA28 facing hurdles with MLBPA
Sources1TypeCoverageESPN