MLB Eyes Olympic Baseball Return for 2028, With Potential All-Star Break Integration

With the 2028 Olympics set to be hosted in Los Angeles, Manfred is optimistic about baseball’s return to the Games for the first time since 1992. In a recent interview on ESPN Radio, he discussed the logistics of how MLB’s involvement might work, suggesting that it could coincide with the league’s All-Star break.

According to Manfred, the plan would involve an 11-day break starting with the All-Star Game, which would be followed by Olympic baseball competition. MLB’s regular season would pause for nearly two weeks in mid-July, aligning with the Olympic schedule.

This integration of the All-Star break and Olympic baseball would simplify scheduling and avoid additional complications that could arise from splitting the break into two parts. The idea of a unified break is still in early discussions, with Manfred working to align MLB’s plans with the Olympic calendar. MLB and the Players’ Association are still negotiating the details, but the possibility of seeing the world’s best players in the Olympics has many excited about the future of the sport.

In addition to his comments on the 2028 Olympics, Manfred also highlighted MLB’s growing international presence and the league’s evolving media strategy, including potential new broadcasting agreements with ESPN. These efforts point to MLB’s continued focus on expanding its global footprint and improving the fan experience.

1. Baseball’s Potential Olympic Comeback

Baseball’s inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics would mark its return after a lengthy absence, with the sport last featured in the Games in 2008. Manfred spoke enthusiastically about the opportunity for MLB players to participate in the Olympics, viewing it as a rare and valuable chance to promote the sport to a worldwide audience. He emphasized that the league is focused on the logistics of incorporating Olympic baseball into the existing MLB schedule, specifically by aligning it with the All-Star break. This proposal to integrate the Olympics into the All-Star break would allow for a seamless transition between MLB’s regular season and the Olympic competition. Manfred noted that this approach would reduce the need for extended travel breaks and avoid the disruption of two separate breaks in the middle of the season. The plan is still in its early stages, with the league coordinating with both the Olympic organizers and the MLB Players’ Association to finalize the details. Manfred’s vision is for the Olympics to serve as a platform to elevate baseball’s global reach. By featuring MLB’s top talent in the Olympics, he believes the sport could garner increased international exposure and generate excitement for the game across the globe. With baseball growing in popularity in countries like Japan and South Korea, Manfred sees the 2028 Olympics as an important milestone for the sport. While the plan is still being worked out, the potential for a showcase of the world’s best baseball players at the Olympics is generating significant anticipation. This would not only be a major moment for the players but also for fans who are eager to see their favorite stars compete on the world’s biggest stage.

2. Manfred’s Vision for MLB’s International Growth

Rob Manfred has made it clear that growing MLB’s international presence is a priority for the league. He pointed to the 2025 season, which will begin in Japan, continuing the league’s recent trend of opening the season in international markets. Manfred also mentioned the upcoming World Baseball Classic in 2026, a tournament that brings together top players from around the world to represent their countries. These initiatives are part of MLB’s broader strategy to expand its influence beyond North America. Manfred highlighted the importance of connecting with baseball fans around the globe, especially as the sport sees growing popularity in countries like Japan, South Korea, and Latin America. MLB’s international efforts are not limited to just exhibitions and special events; the league is actively exploring ways to bring its premier talent to new markets and cultivate new fanbases. The potential for MLB players to participate in the 2028 Olympics aligns with this vision. By showcasing its top stars in such a global setting, Manfred hopes to elevate baseball’s profile and attract new fans to the game. He believes that the Olympics offer an unparalleled platform to market baseball to international audiences and that taking full advantage of this opportunity will pay long-term dividends for the sport. Through these efforts, MLB is positioning itself to be more than just a domestic league. Manfred’s focus on international growth reflects his broader goal of making baseball a truly global sport, and the 2028 Olympics could be a crucial part of that vision.

3. MLB’s Media Strategy and Future Broadcasts

In addition to discussing the Olympics, Manfred also touched on MLB’s ongoing efforts to expand its media reach. He hinted at a new broadcasting deal with ESPN that could include a “Wednesday night package” for games, in addition to further integration of MLB.TV into ESPN’s direct-to-consumer platforms. These moves highlight MLB’s commitment to enhancing the fan experience and expanding its digital presence. MLB has increasingly focused on adapting to a rapidly changing media landscape. With more fans consuming content online and on streaming platforms, the league is looking to make its games more accessible to a wider audience. By integrating local broadcasts with national networks like ESPN, MLB aims to provide fans with more flexible viewing options, making it easier for them to follow their favorite teams and players. The potential media deal could be a game-changer for the league, offering fans new ways to experience games while providing MLB with additional revenue streams. This move is part of Manfred’s broader strategy to modernize the way baseball is consumed, ensuring that the sport remains relevant and accessible in a digital-first world. As MLB looks toward the future, its media strategy and global expansion efforts are closely tied together. The Olympics, along with an evolving broadcasting approach, could help bring baseball to new audiences both in the U.S. and abroad, strengthening the sport’s position in the global sports landscape.