What's the likelihood that MLB and the NBA expand to 32 teams in the next few years? It's clear the NBA wants Seattle and Las Vegas to be the 31st and 32nd teams, but what about MLB? Portland has been thrown around as has Las Vegas, although Las Vegas would be a relocation city for the A's if they can't get a stadium deal done in Oakland. Who are the other candidates that MLB is looking at for expansion?

The collapse of Bally Sports Networks may renew the desire to expand, but may make it harder to do so - the TV bubble has burst. Both leagues need to establish a replacement revenue stream (pun somewhat intended) to be able to justify expansion.

MLB will also have a harder time with realignment. Someone may have to change leagues, and there is also the possibility of a completely geographic realignment.

I think Charlotte & Nashville are expansion or relocation candidates (for TB if they can’t replace the Trop)

(03-05-2023 06:29 PM)Erictelevision Wrote:  I think Charlotte & Nashville are expansion or relocation candidates (for TB if they can’t replace the Trop)

Such a scenario would have been unthinkable a month ago, as both teams would presumably cut into the Braves' territory. If the RSN model goes away, Nashville in particular becomes much easier to swallow, as you not only had the Braves, but the Reds, Cubs, and Cardinals to potentially contend with as no votes.

I've seen less coming out of Charlotte than Portland and Nashville as far as expansion efforts, but Charlotte I. Particular would have some advantages, especially when it comes to the inevitable expansion and realignment at the minor league levels. This could allow MiLB back in places like New Orleans, Lexington, etc.

I still think Colorado switches leagues:

AL West - SEA, OAK/LV, CO, LAA
AL South - TEX, NSH/CLT, TB, KC
AL North - MN, CHW, CLE, DET
AL East - TOR, BAL, NYY, BOS

NL West - SD, SF, LAD, ARZ
NL South - HOU, NSH/CLT, MIA, ATL
NL North - STL, CHC, MIL, CIN
NL East - PIT, PHi, WAS, NYM

MLB has to work out the stadium issues in Oakland and Tampa before they can look at expansion.

(03-06-2023 07:33 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  MLB has to work out the stadium issues in Oakland and Tampa before they can look at expansion.

Arizona too as their lease expires in 2027, as does the Rays.

(03-06-2023 02:49 PM)andybible1995 Wrote:  I'm not soldmon Nashville or Charlotte being expansion cities. They both have Triple A teams. Where are they going to put them if both cities are expansion cities? Also, the Braves will block expansion into these two cities.

Nashville and Portland have probably been making the most noise publicly about bringing MLB to town.

AAA teams always get relocated when MLB comes to town. Three decades ago, the AAA Denver team moved to New Orleans, which eventually moved to Wichita only for MiLB to shut down in 2020. I suspect Nashville would likely target Huntsville (Rocket City), or Birmingham as their AAA affiliate; it largely comes down to the goals of the parent club, the minor league owner, and what affiliation options are available. Enough cities lost minor league teams during the 2021 reorganization that there should be plenty of inventory available.

I have heard less coming out of Charlotte, but another "eastern" candidate also makes it easier to contain the expansion and realignment in the Minors. The Braves might be willing to stomach one of Nashville or Charlotte, but adding both likely requires the complete death of the RSN model. Whether we've arrived at that point remains to be seen.

To be clear: I don’t foresee expansion, but those cities are likely landing spots if Tampa can’t replace the Trop.

Would Orlando be more amenable to hosting the Rays if a deal can’t be worked out in Tampa? It would be wild to see MLB pull out of Central Florida completely. Tampa and Orlando combine for a massive population center.

There IS a group trying to get an expansion team in Orlando.

NC should have a MLB team.

(03-11-2023 12:16 PM)Erictelevision Wrote:  There IS a group trying to get an expansion team in Orlando.

Both baseball teams in Florida struggle attendance-wise. Adding a third would be maniacal.

(03-14-2023 11:49 AM)BePcr07 Wrote:  

(03-11-2023 12:16 PM)Erictelevision Wrote:  There IS a group trying to get an expansion team in Orlando.

Both baseball teams in Florida struggle attendance-wise. Adding a third would be maniacal.

Never said it was good idea. (Because of course you’re right)

Vegas NBA has been rumored for a long time now. Fans also want a Seattle team back.

Few see MLB expanding.

(03-15-2023 03:06 PM)Bronco14 Wrote:  Vegas NBA has been rumored for a long time now. Fans also want a Seattle team back.

Few see MLB expanding.

I say: add those cities, move Minnesota to the East, go back to 4 divisions

The MLB broadcasting strategy is more than a bit nuts.

The entire approach to regional broadcasting is undercutting the fan base. One of the examples is the fact that the Braves used to be on TBS every night. They have one of the largest fan bases in the country albeit mostly centered in the Southeast. Then they were relegated to RSNs and it wasn't too terrible, but it's been tough to watch them since Sinclair took over.

It's absolutely stupid quite frankly. You'd think the MLB would want as many fans to watch as possible...especially consider the aging fan base.

What MLB has in their favor is MLB.tv. They need to concentrate all rights on that product and sell in-market games. Yes, it will be expensive, but it makes a heck of a lot more sense than trying to limit the consumer's options.

After that, they need to sell packages of games to any network that will have them. There's no reason a few networks can't have multiple games a week if they're willing to do so...there's plenty of product to go around.

All that to say this...there's no reason to expand unless you're going to make your product watchable. They need a platform that works for everyone rather than trying to pigeon hole fans into watching teams they don't care about.

But if we are expanding then I would add Montreal and Charlotte.

Move the Rays to Orlando if they can't get a stadium deal done.

Move the Athletics to Portland.

I don't see Las Vegas working as an MLB city. For one, we're talking about massive money to build an indoor facility because most of those games will be in the heat. Add to that Vegas already has the NFL, NHL, and will probably have the NBA too...much easier to locate an NBA franchise in a place like that as opposed to an MLB squad.

I do like the idea of geographic divisions, but I don't want an Eastern and Western Conference.

West: Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, LA Dodgers, LA Angels, San Diego, Arizona, Colorado

Central: Texas, Houston, Kansas City, St. Louis, Minnesota, Milwaukee, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox

Northern: Montreal, Toronto, Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston

Eastern: Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington, Baltimore

You play more games within your division, but you have series against everyone in MLB.

This way, you have 4 divisions. Seed everyone according to their regular season record and play one tournament.

If both had the option, Mexico City would be one of the two expansion cities. The largest metropolitan population in North America and the broadcast gateway to both Central and South America makes the most sense economically.
The G League's Mexico City Capitanes is the test case for both the NBA and MLB. For MLB, Mexico City newest baseball stadium only seats 20K and the canopy is over first and third base, making it harder to build an upper deck in more desired areas.

MLB only has 4 teams in markets smaller than 2.8 million (St. Louis). And two of those, Cincinnati and Cleveland, are close to 3 million when you add neighboring Dayton and Akron. So its really just Pittsburg and Kansas City. And the smaller market teams have trouble consistently competing. The largest metro without a team is Charlotte, with 2.7 million. So I don't see MLB being in a hurry to expand.

Besides, they need to find a new home for Oakland first. SF metro really can't support two teams. So Charlotte, San Antonio, Austin, Portland, Sacramento or Las Vegas (Orlando too close to Tampa) needs to become the Athletics 4th home (after Philly, KC and Oakland).

(03-15-2023 09:28 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  But if we are expanding then I would add Montreal and Charlotte.

Move the Rays to Orlando if they can't get a stadium deal done.

Move the Athletics to Portland.

I don't see Las Vegas working as an MLB city. For one, we're talking about massive money to build an indoor facility because most of those games will be in the heat. Add to that Vegas already has the NFL, NHL, and will probably have the NBA too...much easier to locate an NBA franchise in a place like that as opposed to an MLB squad.

I do like the idea of geographic divisions, but I don't want an Eastern and Western Conference.

West: Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, LA Dodgers, LA Angels, San Diego, Arizona, Colorado

Central: Texas, Houston, Kansas City, St. Louis, Minnesota, Milwaukee, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox

Northern: Montreal, Toronto, Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston

Eastern: Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington, Baltimore

You play more games within your division, but you have series against everyone in MLB.

This way, you have 4 divisions. Seed everyone according to their regular season record and play one tournament.

I would agree with moving the A's to Portland, but they're bound & determined to follow the Raiders, which is a huge mistake, IMO.
I've said this before, but I will say it again: because the Raiders normally play once a week, they can try to pull fans from the Inland Empire or Los Angeles.

Now, the question is can the A's pull off the same feat? I don't doubt that they may be able to make some of the same inroads that the Raiders did, but it's going to be tough to fight the Dodgers, the Angels, and the Padres for fans, and having to do it more than once a week without an established fanbase nearby to boot!!! That's why I hoped that the A's would either stay in Oakland (established fanbase) or move to Portland ( the city really does want its own baseball team, could support it more than once a week, Mariners fan support in Portland is tepid, at best, IMO.)

This link below goes into more detail, IMO:
https://community.fangraphs.com/the-impo...ttendance/