2020s MLB Expansion Watch Thread...

[MikelArteta]

Nobody would ever want to fly to Vancouver to play baseball.

Vancouver is one of the best cities in the world

 

[MikelArteta]

Bring back the expos

 

[King Poetic]

Montreal would be the best spot again

I was just there

Just clean up the homeless along sherbrooke st and this time get a wealthy Canadian who has money and want to invest in the team and knows the people of Quebec

 

[Belize King]

Tampa Rays are being sold if they haven’t been sold yet. Unfortunately, the new owner wants to keep the team there.

I have a house in Ybor and I’ve been to maybe ten Rays games. Every game I go to, I buy the $10 tickets and just walk down the lower area. If they say they have 10k fans, it probably 6k and the rest are corporate tickets that nobody used.

The issue is St Pete. It’s a terrible experience getting to the stadium. Not worth it. Even if they build a new stadium, fans won’t go. If they bring the team to Tampa, they might have a shot. K haven’t looked at the attendance records for the Steinbrenner stadium but I wonder if they sold out every game. If not, the new owner should move the team to Canada and call it a day.

Marlins is another team that gets no support. I think they are stuck in there stadium for a while though. Nashville and Portland should get the next teams. Rays move to Canada since they Canadians know the Rays.

 

[K-Apps]

Salt Lake has both the ownership and stadium plan, and is the Western frontrunner anyway, though I do think there is gonna be some heavy consideration into whether a 4th major league team oversaturates that market. They've got NBA, MLS, and NHL now. The smallest city with 4 major league teams is Seattle, which is 3x the size of Salt Lake.

It isn't a given that they can support a 4th squad, and thats gonna come up with Nashville, too. They've got NFL, NHL, MLS. They are MLB's #1 choice though, I think has been made clear.

Raleigh, a city with only one major league team and ownership at the ready, can support another team and I think will be heavily considered. So will Portland, which has two teams but is bigger than Salt Lake.

How bad do people in Montreal want baseball to return?

Raleigh is becoming a frontrunner. Nashville is still MLB's preferred destination, but I think its gonna be closer than some think for the new Eastern team. Raleigh has momentum too.

They fly there to play soccer and hockey, what's the difference?

I think if there was a big pocketed ownership group with a realistic stadium plan with proper help with Quebec government (lowkey very incompetent run btw) they would gladly have the Expos 2.0 back. But, there are some aren’t convinced baseball will return due to those reasons.

 

[K-Apps]

Fifty-seven percent of Major League Baseball fans would support the implementation of a salary cap, according to data from CivicScience/SBJ Sports Consumer Insights, an approval level that surges to two-thirds among fans age 65 and older.

The gap between the haves and have-nots continues to grow. The Los Angeles Dodgers spent an MLB-record $509 million on total payroll (salaries and luxury taxes) this past season en route to becoming the first team to win back-to-back World Series championships in 25 years. That figure is $440 million greater than the Miami Marlins’ $69 million.

The union believes MLB’s $509 million figure is misleading because it includes $168 million in luxury tax payments that do not go to Dodgers players directly, with about half going to small-market teams via revenue sharing and the other half funding benefits for players on all 30 teams.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has insisted the owners have yet to make a final decision on whether to introduce a salary cap with the current collective-bargaining agreement set to expire on Dec. 1, 2026. The MLB Players Association vehemently opposes any cap, and a battle could lead to a prolonged work stoppage.

Also looking ahead to what might be next, Nashville is the favorite (37.2%) among the survey’s fans when asked which city should get the league’s next franchise.

Manfred has said he wants the locations for two expansion franchises to be decided by the time he retires in 2029, and Nashville is considered a strong candidate.

Music City Baseball, a local ownership platform looking to bring an MLB team to Nashville, has continued preparations in advance of a possible expansion opportunity. The 2025 MLB Speedway Classic in Bristol, Tenn., served as a showcase of sorts for what the future of baseball could be in the state.

Opinions for other markets were less consistent, with Orlando, Portland, Montreal (home to the Expos from 1969 until 2004) and Raleigh each faring well among different demographic categories.

Carolina Hurricanes and Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon has expressed interest in bringing a team to Raleigh. MLB has built a deep partnership with USA Baseball that includes millions of dollars annually in marketing, event and revenue components since the governing body of the sport’s amateur athletes opened the 221-acre permanent home of the National Training Complex in 2007 in Cary, N.C.

In terms of sponsor recognition, Budweiser, the league’s most-tenured sponsor with a relationship that dates to 1980, scored a survey-leading overall recognition rate of 48%, but was a distant third — behind Gatorade and Chevrolet — among fans 18-29, a key demographic for the league.

LoanDepot, one of the league’s newer sponsors (since 2021), was the least-recognized of the eight brands measured, but its highest level came among 18- to 29-year-olds. During the 40 playoff games leading up to the World Series, the company generated $51.2 million in equivalent media value from more than 22 hours of exposure, according to an SBJ collaboration with industry analyst Hive. That was the most earned by the 213 brands tracked by Hive during 97.5 hours of live programming, said Marshall Fisher, the company’s director of sports, media, and marketing, and was helped by the high visibility of its virtual logo that was frequently seen on the pitcher’s mound.

The survey was conducted over a three-week period during the MLB playoffs and was made up of 1,721 to 2,284 fans, depending on the question

 

[murksiderock]

The players and fans want Nashville because it's an event city.......but Raleigh has a shot.

Nashville is by no means a shoo-in, just simply, the leader in the clubhouse. They don't have a billionaire backer or wealthy ownership group---->Raleigh does.

Nashville currently hosts NHL, NFL, and MLS. Oversaturation is gonna be a real consideration, is it a big enough city and market for another major league representation, on top of the fact its a national tourist draw, there's always some shyt happening there. Is it large abd stable enough to support 81 home baseball games?

Raleigh only currently has NHL, and its a larger metropolis and media market than Nashville, so its well large enough to support another major league team without an oversaturation concern.

 

[the next guy]

There won't be a cap

Montreal
Nashville

Portland
Vancouver

Get it done.

The players and fans want Nashville because it's an event city.......but Raleigh has a shot.

Nashville is by no means a shoo-in, just simply, the leader in the clubhouse. They don't have a billionaire backer or wealthy ownership group---->Raleigh does.

Nashville currently hosts NHL, NFL, and MLS. Oversaturation is gonna be a real consideration, is it a big enough city and market for another major league representation, on top of the fact its a national tourist draw, there's always some shyt happening there. Is it large abd stable enough to support 81 home baseball games?

Raleigh only currently has NHL, and its a larger metropolis and media market than Nashville, so its well large enough to support another major league team without an oversaturation concern.

I feel like people desperately want Nashville to be Atlanta's rival. Houston is on the other side of the Mississippi, Miami is too far away, DC is the capital, and Charlotte is no longer interested in being bigger than it is. Also, Memphis used to be more critical, but it has collapsed. You are probably right, but we won't find out until there are four teams in the market, sadly.

People are looking at Denver sports wise and think Nashville can be the same.

 

[murksiderock]

There won't be a cap

Montreal
Nashville

Portland
Vancouver

Get it done.



I feel like people desperately want Nashville to be Atlanta's rival. Houston is on the other side of the Mississippi, Miami is too far away, DC is the capital, and Charlotte is no longer interested in being bigger than it is. Also, Memphis used to be more critical, but it has collapsed. You are probably right, but we won't find out until there are four teams in the market, sadly.

People are looking at Denver sports wise and think Nashville can be the same.

There is a sector of people who call Nashville, "White Atlanta". It fits because of the entertainment and commercial aspects of both cities, so because of that, you're right, there are people who want Nashville to rival Atlanta.

Even with everything going on for Nashville, and it has a lot of strengths, it is still only half the city Atlanta is. In terms of population, economic might, cultural clout, historic relevance, entertainment and tourism, etc. There are reasons to compare the two, but Nashville isn't really close to Atlanta in anything.....Nashville is just stronger and greater than it was pre-2010. It is not a peer to Atlanta.

Charlotte is pound for pound a stronger city than Nashville, and Raleigh is right behind Nashville, like right there behind them. All of these cities are still growing and evolving, Charlotte included. Nashville has the media capitivated in a way Charlotte and Raleigh don't, but all three cities are in the same realm of city.

I also agree that people are looking at Nashville and thinking it can be Denver, but MLB leaders won't overlook the geographic and demographic factors that make 5 major leagues work in Denver.

Denver was a little bit smaller (~1.9 million) than what Nashville is now (~2.1 million), when it got its 3rd, 4th, and 5th major league squads in a 3-year stretch of the 90s. That was a different era of time obviously. And Denver is the only major city for over 440 miles in every cardinal direction, it is "the city" for millions of people across a footprint of like 5 states. Of course it was able to support all 5 leagues, there is no city close enough to it to challenge it as a center of power and attraction.

•Albuquerque, 449 mi
•Salt Lake, 519 mi
•Kansas City, 604 mi

Nashville, on the other hand. Within the 449 miles it takes to get from Denver to Albuquerque, Nashville has:

•Louisville, 176 mi
•Knoxville, 180 mi
•Birmingham, 191 mi
•Memphis, 212 mi
•Atlanta, 248 mi
•Cincinnati, 272 mi
•Indianapolis, 289 mi
•St Louis, 309 mi
•Columbus, 380 mi
•Charlotte, 409 mi
•Chicago, 442 mi

There are 5 MLB teams in the footprint around Nashville, that Denver has 0 competitors. There are 11 cities of respectable size in proximity to Nashville, in a radius that Denver has no large or large-ish cities nearby.

This consideration may not be enough to keep MLB from Nashville, but they'll consider it.

 

[K-Apps]

 

[Trips]

There is a sector of people who call Nashville, "White Atlanta". It fits because of the entertainment and commercial aspects of both cities, so because of that, you're right, there are people who want Nashville to rival Atlanta.

Even with everything going on for Nashville, and it has a lot of strengths, it is still only half the city Atlanta is. In terms of population, economic might, cultural clout, historic relevance, entertainment and tourism, etc. There are reasons to compare the two, but Nashville isn't really close to Atlanta in anything.....Nashville is just stronger and greater than it was pre-2010. It is not a peer to Atlanta.

Charlotte is pound for pound a stronger city than Nashville, and Raleigh is right behind Nashville, like right there behind them. All of these cities are still growing and evolving, Charlotte included. Nashville has the media capitivated in a way Charlotte and Raleigh don't, but all three cities are in the same realm of city.

I also agree that people are looking at Nashville and thinking it can be Denver, but MLB leaders won't overlook the geographic and demographic factors that make 5 major leagues work in Denver.

Denver was a little bit smaller (~1.9 million) than what Nashville is now (~2.1 million), when it got its 3rd, 4th, and 5th major league squads in a 3-year stretch of the 90s. That was a different era of time obviously. And Denver is the only major city for over 440 miles in every cardinal direction, it is "the city" for millions of people across a footprint of like 5 states. Of course it was able to support all 5 leagues, there is no city close enough to it to challenge it as a center of power and attraction.

•Albuquerque, 449 mi
•Salt Lake, 519 mi
•Kansas City, 604 mi

Nashville, on the other hand. Within the 449 miles it takes to get from Denver to Albuquerque, Nashville has:

•Louisville, 176 mi
•Knoxville, 180 mi
•Birmingham, 191 mi
•Memphis, 212 mi
•Atlanta, 248 mi
•Cincinnati, 272 mi
•Indianapolis, 289 mi
•St Louis, 309 mi
•Columbus, 380 mi
•Charlotte, 409 mi
•Chicago, 442 mi

There are 5 MLB teams in the footprint around Nashville, that Denver has 0 competitors. There are 11 cities of respectable size in proximity to Nashville, in a radius that Denver has no large or large-ish cities nearby.

This consideration may not be enough to keep MLB from Nashville, but they'll consider it.

respect your breakdown. I still think the pull is too much not to go with Nashville. But, I do like the idea of either Raleigh or Charlotte being the better option

 

[the next guy]

There is a sector of people who call Nashville, "White Atlanta". It fits because of the entertainment and commercial aspects of both cities, so because of that, you're right, there are people who want Nashville to rival Atlanta.

Even with everything going on for Nashville, and it has a lot of strengths, it is still only half the city Atlanta is. In terms of population, economic might, cultural clout, historic relevance, entertainment and tourism, etc. There are reasons to compare the two, but Nashville isn't really close to Atlanta in anything.....Nashville is just stronger and greater than it was pre-2010. It is not a peer to Atlanta.

Charlotte is pound for pound a stronger city than Nashville, and Raleigh is right behind Nashville, like right there behind them. All of these cities are still growing and evolving, Charlotte included. Nashville has the media capitivated in a way Charlotte and Raleigh don't, but all three cities are in the same realm of city.

I also agree that people are looking at Nashville and thinking it can be Denver, but MLB leaders won't overlook the geographic and demographic factors that make 5 major leagues work in Denver.

Denver was a little bit smaller (~1.9 million) than what Nashville is now (~2.1 million), when it got its 3rd, 4th, and 5th major league squads in a 3-year stretch of the 90s. That was a different era of time obviously. And Denver is the only major city for over 440 miles in every cardinal direction, it is "the city" for millions of people across a footprint of like 5 states. Of course it was able to support all 5 leagues, there is no city close enough to it to challenge it as a center of power and attraction.

•Albuquerque, 449 mi
•Salt Lake, 519 mi
•Kansas City, 604 mi

Nashville, on the other hand. Within the 449 miles it takes to get from Denver to Albuquerque, Nashville has:

•Louisville, 176 mi
•Knoxville, 180 mi
•Birmingham, 191 mi
•Memphis, 212 mi
•Atlanta, 248 mi
•Cincinnati, 272 mi
•Indianapolis, 289 mi
•St Louis, 309 mi
•Columbus, 380 mi
•Charlotte, 409 mi
•Chicago, 442 mi

There are 5 MLB teams in the footprint around Nashville, that Denver has 0 competitors. There are 11 cities of respectable size in proximity to Nashville, in a radius that Denver has no large or large-ish cities nearby.

This consideration may not be enough to keep MLB from Nashville, but they'll consider it.

I agree, and I'll say the banks alone make Charlotte a much better city, just in terms of economy. It's like Cleveland vs St Louis, St Louis has the bigger metro and economy, but Cleveland undeniably has a bigger media presence, and St Louis is "not Chicago" in 2025. Also, I feel like Charlotte doesn't have much energy for the MLB right now, like the other cities. I think Atlanta will try to fight Nashville getting a team imo.

 

[murksiderock]

I agree, and I'll say the banks alone make Charlotte a much better city, just in terms of economy. It's like Cleveland vs St Louis, St Louis has the bigger metro and economy, but Cleveland undeniably has a bigger media presence, and St Louis is "not Chicago" in 2025. Also, I feel like Charlotte doesn't have much energy for the MLB right now, like the other cities. I think Atlanta will try to fight Nashville getting a team imo.

All great points!

Charlotte leaders are not all in on an MLB team the way leaders in Raleigh are. The grassroots fan movement in Charlotte is tiny compared to Raleigh's. Both the previous NC governor (Roy Cooper) and the new one elected last year (Josh Stein) have publicly said they want the team in Raleigh and will do whatever within their power to try to bring it to fruition.

And Raleigh has Tom Dundon. No billionaires in Charlotte have expressed an interest in Charlotte. This article is a year and a half old, but its still true today, except, within the last 1½ years, the gap between Raleigh and Charlotte has widened:

Will Charlotte Ever Land an MLB Team? - Charlotte Magazine

Does it even want one?

www.charlottemagazine.com

Charlotte's size and prestige as a banking and corporate center are why people keep mentioning it from time to time---->not because people in Charlotte expressly want MLB. More people here want it at the fan level, and esteemed politicians in NC want it here in The Capital.

Raleigh has a shot. Nashville citizens helped fund the new Titans stadium going up in Downtown Nashville currently, there is fatigue there about the possibility of having to fund an MLB-sized stadium getting built. Raleigh doesn't have that issue.

Nashville is still the overall leader as we sit here today but Raleigh has a very, very strong chance to get the Eastern expansion franchise within the next 5 years.

 

[K-Apps]

 

[K-Apps]