With the collective bargaining agreement negotiations for the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) season approaching, concerns about a potential lockout have surfaced. However, Jim Bowden, a former MLB executive, remains optimistic, citing the sport's current success and innovations. The 2024 and 2025 World Series attracted an average of 15.8 million viewers, a significant increase from 9.1 million in 2023. Bowden emphasizes that a work stoppage would be detrimental to the game's momentum, which has been bolstered by recent changes like the pitch clock and Automated Ball-Strike System. He also highlights that since Rob Manfred became commissioner, no regular season games have been cancelled due to labor disputes, suggesting that both sides may negotiate in good faith. Doug McKain from Dodgers Nation echoes this sentiment, noting that the sport's star power, particularly players like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, could help avoid a lockout. He warns that a lockout during this peak interest period could set the sport back significantly, as fans may turn away from MLB amidst disputes over financial issues.