The biggest story of the MLB offseason, outside of global superstar Shohei Ohtani inking a historic deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, was the A’s relocation to Las Vegas being unanimously approved by the league’s owners. While there are still a number of hurdles to overcome, it feels like an Oakland-to-Vegas move is all but a certainty for the Athletics organization. No matter how the saga plays out, there have long been internal discussions of Major League Baseball expanding their operation from 30 to 32 big league markets. I wanted to take a brief look into some of the other leading candidates that are vying to bring professional baseball to their city as a way to add a spark to the local community in more ways than one. While there will most likely only be 2 more teams added to the existing 30, there are certainly more than 2 potential markets for a future Big League franchise:
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is making a concerted push to bring an MLB team to Utah. Since 2019, the Miller family (former owners of the NBA’s Utah Jazz), known for their business acumen and community focus, has shifted their empire towards new investments, including real estate and healthcare, while maintaining ownership of the Salt Lake Bees, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. In a strategic move, plans were unveiled to relocate the Bees to a new stadium in South Jordan, sparking discussions about enhancing the fan experience and the potential for MLB in Utah. Executives from the Miller company have previously engaged with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, leaving meetings encouraged about Salt Lake City’s prospects as a future MLB location. This optimism stems from ongoing dialogues about expansion within the league, positioning Salt Lake City as a strong candidate for one of the potential new teams. The groundwork for this ambition includes significant financial planning and community engagement, aiming to build a viable and competitive MLB franchise that reflects Utah’s growing economy and population. The initiative, dubbed Big League Utah, represents a coalition of local leaders and potential investors rallied by the Miller family.
Portland
Portland is actively pursuing an MLB expansion team, spearheaded by the Portland Diamond Project (PDP). The PDP has revealed plans for a new ballpark, proposing the acquisition of 164 acres at the RedTail Golf Course to create the largest entertainment district in MLB. PDP’s Craig Cheek highlights the site’s potential for significant economic and social impact, positioning Portland as a strong contender for MLB expansion. As the Oakland A’s explore relocation options, including a potential move to Las Vegas, Portland’s bid could become more relevant, especially given its competition with Utah for an expansion franchise. Portland, ranked 23rd in market size and hosting the Double-A Sea Dogs, lacks an interim MLB venue like Utah’s, but its strategic initiatives may enhance its appeal to MLB. The city’s push represents a broader effort to secure a major league team, and regardless of how the Las Vegas Athletics saga plays out, they remain strong contenders for a potentially exciting professional baseball market going forward.
Nashville
Dave Stewart, previously a minor league pitcher, is leading a movement through the Music City Baseball group to introduce a new MLB expansion team, the Nashville Stars, in Tennessee. This project, aiming for realization within five years, focuses on creating a team with predominantly minority ownership. Plans include constructing a privately-funded stadium on land owned by Tennessee State University, and honoring the legacy of Negro Leagues teams. Stewart and his team, emphasizing a wide spectrum of diversity, have initiated dialogue with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. Although MLB has recognized Nashville as a potential location for expansion, further discussions are on hold until the stadium issues of the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays are addressed. The Nashville Stars project is more than an effort to secure a team; it’s a pledge to foster inclusivity and diversity within baseball, mirroring the community’s varied composition and potentially establishing a new model for sports franchise ownership and representation. Baseball is wildly popular in the southern region of the United States, and it would be very encouraging to see another large southern market be able to host a Major League team.
There is little doubt that bringing a Major League baseball team would do wonders for a market the size of Salt Lake, Portland, or Nashville. While not the largest of markets, the somewhat-new revenue sharing agreement built into the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) gives smaller markets a better chance to compete in a league that is generally dominated by the teams who can generate the most revenue year in and year out. On top of the economic impact that comes with having a professional sports team located in the local community, it gives people who live in the area something that they can be proud of if done the right way.
