The Battle for Baseball's Future: Fans Weigh In on Expansion
In the world of Major League Baseball, expansion is a hot topic, and fans are eager to have their say. With potential new franchises on the horizon, the debate rages on: Where will these teams call home, and who will be the lucky cities to join the MLB family?
Dennis, a seasoned reporter and editor at the Deseret News, brings us an insightful look at the fan perspective on this exciting development.
The Athletic's Fan Survey: A Glimpse into Baseball's Future
The Athletic, a renowned sports publication, conducted an annual survey, asking baseball enthusiasts a crucial question: "Which potential expansion cities would you most like to see get a new franchise?"
The survey narrowed down the choices to six cities with active expansion efforts: Austin, Nashville, Orlando, Portland, Raleigh, and Salt Lake City. Fans were asked to choose their top two picks.
Nashville: The Clear Front-Runner
Nashville emerged as the overwhelming favorite, with an impressive 73% of the 12,901 respondents voting for the Music City. This city has been a strong contender for one of the two expansion franchises the league aims to identify before MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred retires in 2029. He has expressed a preference for one team in the East and one in the West.
The West Coast Battle: Portland vs. Salt Lake City
While Nashville took the lead, the race for the West Coast franchise is a tight one. Portland came in a close second, with 47% of the votes, while Salt Lake City trailed slightly behind at 30%.
Portland has a head start, with a group of investors, including NFL star Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara, launching the Portland Diamond Project in 2017. However, Salt Lake City is not far behind, with a coalition of prominent Utahns, led by the Larry H. Miller Company, forming Big League Utah in 2023 to pursue an MLB team for the state.
The Rivalry Heats Up: Salt Lake City's Win
In a recent development, Salt Lake City scored a significant victory in its rivalry with Portland. They managed to recruit former Atlanta Braves star Dale Murphy, an Oregon native and two-time National League MVP, away from his advisory role with the Portland Diamond Project. Murphy, who has called Utah home since retiring from baseball in 1993, is now a key advocate for Salt Lake City's MLB ambitions.
Other Contenders: Raleigh, Austin, and Orlando
Raleigh finished fourth in the survey with 26% of the votes, followed by Austin at 12% and Orlando at 5%. Interestingly, the "other" option received 8% of the vote, with Montreal being the top write-in choice.
Fan Opinion: Do They Want MLB Expansion?
The Athletic also delved into fans' opinions on expanding the MLB to 32 teams. The results were intriguing: only a slight majority, 51%, were in favor, while 31% opposed the idea. Another 18% had no strong opinion either way.
When the same question was asked in 2022, a higher percentage, 61.7%, were in favor, but the survey lacked a "no opinion" option. In 2023, the support for expansion grew to 72.2%.
"Maybe expansion was more top of mind at that point," The Athletic suggested.
Salt Lake City's Vision: A River of Dreams
Salt Lake City's aspirations for an MLB team gained momentum last week when the Miller Company announced plans to restore the Jordan River as part of their $3.5 billion mixed-use development on the west side. This development includes a potential site for a big league stadium.
Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, a popular sports radio personality, predicted that Salt Lake City, along with Nashville, would be the chosen cities for baseball's expansion. Other baseball analysts have made similar predictions in recent years.
The Stadium's Vision: A Home Run into the River
Steve Starks, CEO of the Miller Company, shared exciting details with the Deseret News. The company is working with ballpark architects to finalize site plans, considering the stadium's orientation and seating capacity. The general plan is to locate the stadium on the west side of the river, facing the majestic Wasatch Mountains. Imagine the thrill of home run balls landing in the river!
Senator Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan, envisioned a scene reminiscent of McCovey Cove outside Oracle Park in San Francisco. He described the Miller Company's project as a fulfillment of their promise to the community, the river, and the state.
"With this dream, we envision a vibrant river in April 2032, filled with kayaks, canoes, and fishing nets, as fans eagerly await the first home run hit into the river by Utah's Major League Baseball team," Fillmore said.
So, what do you think, baseball fans? Where should these new franchises call home? And will MLB expansion bring the excitement we all crave? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
