Does anyone know why we can't (or don't?) use Major league players on the American Olympic team?

Question

Don't we have some professional Basketball players on our Olympic team? If so, why the difference?

Answer 1

it's baseball season. they don't want to stop during the season to play in the Olympics.

we have professional basketball players because it is the basketball off-season.

Answer 2

"The reason Major League Baseball does not allow players to participate is because of the games taking place just about mid-season during the All-Star break. So the options now lie on the table. Take a longer All-Star break with the addition of a few extra days, or scratch the idea of seeing the Major League players we all love or love to hate and baseball all together from the Olympic agenda."

Answer 3

I'm assuming you're speaking of baseball in saying "Major League" and first of all, it would be because they are still playing their regular season so obviously they can't leave that for the olympics... but after Beijing they're getting rid of baseball and softball anyways so it won't matter... and as for basketball i think they should make it an amateur only tournament because of 2010 in Vancouver that's what they're doing with hockey... it's a good thing and a bad thing at the same time because although it may not be as exciting, it makes it more fair, plus it lets people who haven't already been in the limelight from the pros have their time to shine

Answer 4

It's in the collective bargaining agreement between the MLB Players association and the owners that any player on a major league roster is off limits to the Olympic team and that a team can keep any minor league player in their system from competing if they want to.  The reason behind this are all based on $$$.  They pay those guys a lot of money and don't want to risk them getting hurt while playing for another team.  Also, if a lot of big league players went to the Olympics in the middle of a season you can guarantee that revenue would go down at stadiums here in the US and the owners obviously don't want to see that happen.

Answer 5

because they are right in the stretch run of the season and it would make no sense for them to quit on the teams that are paying them right in the middle of the most important time of the year to play in the olympics.

Answer 6

Because 99% of MLB players are from the Dominican Republic.

Answer 7

doesnt matter this is the last olympics that baseball will be in! no baseball in 2012 :)

Answer 8

The games are right in the middle of the MLB season

which is the reason that has been given for not having Baseball in the next olympics