Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed growing optimism that major league players will participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Previously, MLB did not allow players on 40-man rosters to compete in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, while Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball paused its season and went on to win gold against the United States.
MLB is considering an extended All-Star break during the 2028 Games, scheduled for July 14-30. This plan requires agreement with the players’ association and could affect sponsor arrangements.
“I am positive about it. I think that the owners have kind of crossed the line in terms of, we’d like to do it if we can possibly make it work,” Manfred said before Game 2 of the World Series. “There are logistical issues that still need to be worked on.”
The baseball tournament at the Tokyo Olympics lasted 11 days and included a group stage and knockout rounds. The LA Games may use a shorter format.
“We have made a lot of progress with LA 2028 in terms of the calendar,” Manfred said. “Right now we’re in discussions with the players’ association about that set of issues.”
Manfred noted that participation in Los Angeles would likely be unique due to logistical challenges, especially since the next Summer Olympics will take place in Brisbane, Australia.
“The logistics of LA as evidenced by how long we’ve been talking about it are difficult,” he said. “The chances that we’re playing in Brisbane — difficult, right? Even way more difficult than being in LA.”
Addressing labor negotiations and payroll disparities, Manfred commented on speculation regarding a possible salary cap proposal following another potential championship for high-spending teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers led all teams this year with projected payroll and luxury tax costs totaling $509 million—over seven times more than the Miami Marlins’ $69 million payroll. No small-market team has won since Kansas City Royals took the title in 2015.
“I don’t think who wins this World Series is any more relevant than who won the last five or six,” Manfred said.
Regarding ongoing investigations into Cleveland pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz—both placed on paid leave as part of an MLB probe into sports betting—Manfred stated: “Obviously, our No. 1 priority is to protect the integrity of the game. We think we have great systems in place that allow us to do that,” he said. “We’ve worked really hard to provide resources to players to make sure that they are comfortable and have an outlet when they have a problem with respect to issues related to sports betting.” He added: “The most important thing that we can do is make sure that we have systems in place that give us access to data which puts you in a position to determine if there’s something aberrational going on… When you get that, you need to conduct a thorough investigation, make sure that you understand exactly what caused that aberration and then you need to discipline.”
On postseason structure, Manfred signaled satisfaction with having twelve teams out of thirty qualify for playoffs—a change from ten under previous agreements after efforts for further expansion were rejected by players.
“I really like the way 12 has played out,” he said. “I think the wild-card round, playing a series like we’d normally play baseball, was a big improvement.”
Expansion remains on hold until Tampa Bay secures plans for a new ballpark under new ownership; however, Manfred aims for two new teams before his term ends in January 2029. Montreal has shown interest as well as other Canadian cities.
“We’re not going to be on the field, obviously, but I’d like to have the teams picked,” he said. “I’m pretty comfortable with the idea that something good is going to happen in the Tampa Bay region.” He added: “There’s certainly other cities in Canada that would be viable expansion candidates.”
National television contracts are being finalized with NBCUniversal for Wild Card Series games and Sunday night regular-season games; Netflix for coverage of All-Star Home Run Derby; and ESPN for regular-season broadcasts plus certain local rights.
“We have agreements. We’re just working on long forms and as I have learned over the years, long-form broadcasting agreements take a long time to get done,” Manfred said.
Tampa Bay Rays are expected back at Tropicana Field early next season after repairs from Hurricane Milton damage forced them temporarily elsewhere.
“We’re hopeful that it will be ready for opening home set,” Manfred stated. “It’s certainly going to be open very early in the year.”
Shohei Ohtani’s role has also drawn attention internationally as his performance contributed significantly both competitively and through increased viewership abroad—especially Japan—as he helped lead his team back-to-back World Series appearances.
“Shohei, it just absolutely has been greatest benefit… throughout year… In LCS he had probably greatest game all time… fortunate… here World Series,” Manfred remarked.
