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.COMAaron Judge of Team United States reacts after the sixth inning during the World Baseball Classic semifinals game against the Dominican Republic at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, on March 15, 2026.(Gene Wang/Capture At Media/Getty Images)The 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 adviser 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.Team Japan celebrates after the final out of the World Baseball Classic Championship defeating Team USA 3-...