ATLANTA (AP) 鈥 Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and players' union head Tony Clark say plans are moving ahead exploring the possibility of using major leaguers in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a tournament that could be played on an extended All-Star break.
鈥淚 think it is a opportunity to market the game on a really global stage,鈥 Manfred told the Baseball Writers鈥 Association of America on Tuesday. 鈥淥bviously the clubs are going to have to endorse this. I mean, it's a big deal.鈥
MLB met with Los Angeles organizers Monday in Atlanta ahead of the All-Star Game and Manfred said the Olympic officials were meeting with the Major League Baseball Players Association.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of work that still needs to be done,鈥 Clark told the BBWAA in a separate session. "We do know players are interested in playing, whether it鈥檚 for the Team USA or any number of other teams around the world. ... There鈥檚 just a lot of conversation that needs to be had sooner rather than later to see how viable this is, but we鈥檙e hopeful that we can figure our way through it for the benefit of the game."
The World Baseball Softball Confederation said Monday the baseball tournament will be played from July 15-20 at Dodger Stadium. MLB is considering whether it can interrupt its 2028 season to allow major leaguers to participate, which could necessitate changes to the sport's national television contracts.
鈥淭hey put out a schedule. They tell you it鈥檚 not going to move. We鈥檒l see whether there鈥檚 any movement on that,鈥 Manfred said. 鈥淚t is possible to take it, to play the All-Star Game in its normal spot, have a single break that would be longer, obviously, but still play 162 games without bleeding into the middle of November. That is possible, OK? It would require significant accommodations, but it鈥檚 possible.鈥
World Baseball Softball Confederation spokesman Richard Baker declined comment.
MLB did not allow players on 40-man rosters to participate in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, when Nippon Professional Baseball interrupted its season and .
鈥淚n the event that major league players are going to play, what does that mean and what does that look like?" Clark said. "And perhaps just as importantly, what does it mean for those players who aren鈥檛 participating? What type of scheduling adjustments need to be made? What type travel considerations and support need to considered? What does that means in regards to insurance?鈥
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