When talk of MLB expansion swirls every winter meeting, big TV markets like Portland or Montreal dominate headlines. But our deep dive into data shows a mid-sized Southern city—bolstered by a storied minor-league legacy and robust corporate sponsorship pipeline—could upend all assumptions.
Armed with TV ratings, regional media-market analysis, and civic funding blueprints, this guide tears through baseball expansion rumors to reveal who really deserves a team next. Expect clear-eyed breakdowns of market size, stadium feasibility, and fan engagement that challenge the usual narratives around expansion cities.
Why MLB Expansion Can’t Wait
At last year’s winter meetings, Commissioner Rob Manfred cautioned that revenue ceilings are severely impacting Major League Baseball. National and regional TV deals have plateaued near the $10 billion mark, posing a risk of stagnation without the introduction of new markets. Local broadcast partners in untapped regions are eager for content, but without a resident club, these lucrative sublicensing deals are slipping through MLB’s fingers.
Compare that with the NBA, which welcomed two new franchises since 2000, and the NHL’s bold seven-team surge over the past decade. In contrast, MLB expansion has sat idle since 1998, stalling baseball growth just as fan demographics diversify.
For a league that touts tradition, stasis can be a liability. Introducing new MLB teams isn’t just about geography—it’s a strategic necessity to unlock fresh revenue and re-energize fans nationwide. Analysts project that each additional franchise could drive 50,000 new streaming subscriptions in its first season alone.
Key Factors in Selecting Expansion Cities
MLB franchise markets get ranked not by hunch but by hard metrics. We distilled the evaluation into three pillars critical to any baseball expansion bid. These criteria ensure that any new team thrives from day one.
Market and Media Reach
Evaluating media market size means more than population. Nielsen rankings, local TV network contracts, and streaming viewership combine to forecast ad revenue. Markets rated above DMA 20 tend to sustain higher broadcast fees. Streaming rights and regional advertising potential further amplify long-term earnings projections. Even midsize DMAs with growing tech hubs can punch above their weight.
Infrastructure and Fanbase Depth
Existing baseball infrastructure—from Triple-A parks to youth academies—signals an engaged fan community. A city steeped in minor-league baseball legacy often exhibits season ticket waitlists and regional sponsorship interest. Robust social followings on platforms like Twitter and Instagram also translate into ready-made marketing channels for a new MLB franchise. Community outreach programs and youth clinics often reflect grassroots appetite.
Funding Models and Political Will
Stadium funding remains the gatekeeper for expansion success. Public-private partnerships, municipal bonds, and corporate naming-rights deals shape the financial blueprint. Cities with proven track records—vetted in our Stadium Financing Guide—demonstrate the political will to underwrite billions in construction without stalling over budget debates.
5 U.S. Cities Leading the Charge for New MLB Teams
Their diverse strengths—from untapped media markets to proven minor-league fervor—shape a compelling case for new franchises. Here’s how each city stacks up in the race for an expansion team.
Portland, Oregon
Portland’s metro area tops 2.5 million residents, slotting it at DMA 23 in the U.S. It boasts a rich minor-league pedigree—home to the Portland Beavers for 70 years—and an active season ticket waitlist exceeding 10,000 names.
Corporate sponsors in tech-driven hubs like Intel and Nike have signaled interest in financing a downtown ballpark. Recent public surveys show 62% approval for a mixed-use stadium district, underscoring strong civic will for a new MLB team.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville’s surge as the surprising dark horse owes much to a 1.9 million metro population and a DMA 29 ranking. The city has floated a repurposable stadium concept within the existing Nissan Stadium footprint, backed by 55% public approval in recent polls.
Indie fan groups—spawning from the Nashville Sounds—have driven social media campaigns under #MusicCityBaseball. Corporate heavyweights like HCA Healthcare and Bridgestone offer deep pockets for naming rights. This fusion of civic energy and feasible infrastructure makes Nashville a top contender.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte’s burgeoning metro spans 2.6 million residents, securing a coveted DMA 22 spot. It hosts corporate HQs for Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Duke Energy—entities primed to invest in naming rights and regional broadcast partnerships.
A recent feasibility report highlighted available land adjacent to the Carolina Panthers’ stadium. The Triple-A Charlotte Knights draw over 1 million fans annually, underscoring deep-rooted baseball passion. Existing Bally Sports South broadcasts already penetrate the market, laying groundwork for swift TV-rights negotiations.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas boasts a digital frenzy that few markets can match. The Triple-A Aviators average 9,000 fans per game, and social chatter under #VegasNights racks up over 250,000 monthly impressions. Eastern and Pacific Time zone overlap delivers prime-time broadcast windows across two-thirds of U.S. households.
Corporate casinos and hospitality giants are primed to sponsor jersey patches. Combined with tourism-driven spikes in attendance and robust local esports partnerships, Vegas offers a flashy blueprint for a new MLB team. Here, bright lights meet serious baseball budgets.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando’s 2.5 million metro sits in a state overrun with baseball: the Marlins, Rays, and spring training flocks. Yet its central location and a major international airport create an ideal travel hub—no small feat for league logistics.
The city’s pro forma estimates predict $600 million in facility revenues, but summer thunderstorms pose scheduling hurdles. Entertainment titans like Disney and Universal have deep sponsorship pockets. If MLB can engineer weather-resistant infrastructure, Orlando could slide into the expansion mix with ease.
Looking Abroad: Is Global Baseball Growth Next?
International prospects carry unique challenges: cross-border TV rights, sponsorship disparities, and travel logistics. Weighing Mexico City, Vancouver, and London reveals three distinct expansion frontiers.
Mexico City
Mexico City’s metro population exceeds 21 million, ranking it among the world’s largest markets for baseball expansion. Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú already hosts the Diablos Rojos, drawing average crowds of 15,000. Cross-border TV rights via Televisa and ESPN Latin America promise robust media pools.
Major sponsors like Corona and Banco Santander bolster the financial case for a franchise. Logistically, four-hour flights to major U.S. hubs enable reasonable travel, though visa rules and time-zone shifts demand meticulous scheduling.
Vancouver and London
Vancouver rings in at 2.6 million residents with a strong baseball community surrounding the Vancouver Canadians, averaging 8,500 fans per game. Rogers Sportsnet Pacific already taps into the market, smoothing TV-rights integration. However, exchange-rate volatility and a shallower corporate sponsorship pool temper enthusiasm.
Across the Atlantic, London dazzled with three MLB London Series matchups, igniting European interest but also uncovering logistical hurdles: transatlantic travel fatigue, fragmented broadcasting jurisdictions, and unpredictable weather. Sponsorship from global brands like Adidas and Heineken could offset local gaps. Still, an MLB franchise in either city could be a global branding coup, broadening baseball’s footprint significantly and making the postseason more competitive.
Scorecard Results and Our Verdict
We assigned weights: 40% to media markets, 30% to infrastructure and fanbase depth, and 30% to funding models and political will. Each contender earned a composite score out of 100 based on these pillars.
- Nashville, TN: 92
- Portland, OR: 89
- Charlotte, NC: 84
- Las Vegas, NV: 82
- Orlando, FL: 76
In a twist, Nashville tops the list thanks to its minor-league legacy and solid civic backing, edging out Portland’s media-market heft. Las Vegas stands out as the dark horse, where entertainment synergy and digital engagement could reshape expansion paradigms if MLB rolls the dice.
While nostalgia pulls for Portland’s revival and Charlotte’s corporate muscle, our model shows Nashville’s blend of fan fervor and feasible financing outperforms pure market size. Orlando’s intense regional competition and weather risks weigh down its score, despite strong tourism dollars. Ultimately, securing public endorsement and crafting a durable TV-rights package tilt the scales in Nashville’s favor, making it our clear leader. These rankings serve as a roadmap for fans, journalists, and civic planners pondering the next wave of MLB expansion.
Where Fans Fit in the Expansion Conversation
Fans have taken matters into their own hands. Petitions circulating in Portland and Nashville have collectively gathered over 75,000 signatures. Town hall meetings in Charlotte and Orlando drew local leaders and community groups. On social media, #MLBexpansionCities and #MusicCityBaseball are trending, fueling debates on Twitter and Reddit. Regional booster clubs are publishing research briefs, and civic leaders are fielding coverage in local news outlets.
Local boosters are forging partnerships with minor-league teams, while investor symposia preview potential financing frameworks. The next pivotal moments will unfold at MLB’s winter meetings and All-Star break, where commissioner updates and formal announcements should crystallize the league’s direction.