Disagreements between MLB, the MLB Players Association and officials with the 2028 Olympics has slowed momentum from the game’s biggest stars participating in the Summer Games, according to a new report. 

The three sides have been in ongoing conflict over the specifics of baseball at the Olympics for months per ESPN. 

Particular sticking points revolve around hotel rooms, tickets and a mandatory-participation agreement.

LA28 and MLB are seeking a quick solution as the two plan to shut down the league for 11 days to accommodate an All-Star Game and a six-team Olympic tournament. 

The MLBPA has been reluctant to sign an agreement, seeking a deal similar to what the International Olympic Committee, National Hockey League and NHLPA signed to bring NHL players back to the Olympics in 2026 after 12 years away. 

“We made a proposal to the union which included a schedule and a mandatory participation agreement,” MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said, according to ESPN. “The union then pursued a negotiation with LA28 over largely economic issues, including housing and tickets, and told us they would not respond until they finished with LA28.”

Sources told ESPN that MLB is seeking mandated participation that would place players who avoid participation in the Games on the restricted list — without pay — from July 12 to Aug. 3. 

The MLBPA strongly opposed the idea, specifically the punishment, and commissioner Rob Manfred’s ability “to discipline for just cause” with “a fine and/or unpaid suspension” under the clause. 

The players union also pursued negotiations over housing and tickets, seemingly asking for hotel rooms for players and tickets available for their friends and family.

Despite four All-Stars telling ESPN on Monday they would be willing to stay in the Olympic Village on UCLA’s campus, LA28 offered 435 hotel rooms on top of the 100 reserved by MLB and another 100 for the Japanese national team.

The desire to allow MLB players to participate in the Olympics has risen drastically amongst players and fans after the success of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. 

The United States, Dominican Republic and WBC champion Venezuela have already qualified, with others coming from the Premier12 tournament set to take place in November 2027. 

“I hope LA ’28 happens,” Harper told USA Today in March. “I’m hoping the next CBA agreement can happen where teams and players can come to an agreement on taking that two-week break, especially it being in our home country.

“It would be great for baseball. You talk about growing the game and being able to grow it at that, at the highest level would help out tremendously.”

Baseball became an official Olympic sport in 1992 and ran through 2008. It returned for the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, with Japan winning gold and the United States taking silver. The U.S. roster included the likes of Joe Ryan, Triston Casas, Shane Baz and Nick Martinez.

The players union added that the league’s stars would like to play in the Olympics under the right conditions.

“In general, our players want to play in the Olympics,” Bruce Meyer, head of the MLBPA, said Tuesday, according to The Athletic. “They’re patriotic, and for them it’s a special opportunity, and we want them to have that opportunity.

“Having said that, we want to make sure that they have things like travel and accommodations and things that they deserve based on who they are.”