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New MLB Union Head Warns 2027 Work Stoppage Could Disrupt 2028 Olympics
Negotiations over player participation in 2028 LA Olympics face potential hurdles from labor dispute.
Mar. 15, 2026 at 11:59pm
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The new acting head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, Bruce Meyer, warned that a work stoppage leading to canceled games during the 2027 MLB season could disrupt plans for big league players to participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Meyer said that if games are missed in 2027, it would likely eliminate MLB players from the 2028 Olympics. Negotiations are ongoing between the union, MLB, the IOC, and the LA Organizing Committee over issues like insurance, transportation, and accommodations for Olympic participation.
Why it matters
The potential for a 2027 MLB work stoppage threatens to derail plans that have been in discussion to have top MLB talent compete in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. This would be a major blow to the Olympic baseball event, which was set to feature the best players in the world.
The details
The Major League Baseball Players Association is currently negotiating with MLB, the IOC, the LA Organizing Committee, and the World Baseball Softball Confederation on the six-nation baseball event scheduled for Dodger Stadium from July 13-19, 2028 during what could be an extended All-Star break. However, the union is also preparing to bargain a new labor contract with MLB to replace the current five-year agreement expiring on December 1, 2026. Meyer warned that if games are missed in 2027 due to a work stoppage, it would likely eliminate MLB players from participating in the 2028 Olympics.
- The current MLB labor agreement expires on December 1, 2026.
- A new labor agreement is expected to be negotiated in April or May 2027.
- The 2028 Olympic baseball event is scheduled for July 13-19, 2028.
The players
Bruce Meyer
The new acting head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, following the forced resignation of previous union head Tony Clark.
Tony Clark
The former All-Star first baseman who had led the players' union since 2013, but was forced to resign after an investigation found evidence of an inappropriate relationship with a union employee.
What they’re saying
“If we're in a situation where games are being missed in '27, that could have an impact on playing the Olympics after that.”
— Bruce Meyer, Acting Head, Major League Baseball Players Association (AP News)
“If we don't have a season, we're not going to play in the Olympics.”
— Bruce Meyer, Acting Head, Major League Baseball Players Association (AP News)
What’s next
The union and MLB are preparing to begin bargaining a new labor agreement in April or May 2027, which will determine whether there is a work stoppage that disrupts the 2027 MLB season and potentially the 2028 Olympics.
The takeaway
The potential for a labor dispute between MLB and the players' union in 2027 threatens to derail plans for top MLB talent to participate in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, a major blow to the Olympic baseball event. Resolving this issue will require complex negotiations between the union, MLB, the IOC, and the LA Organizing Committee.
