ESPN: Breaking down the candidates for MLB's next expansion teams

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Considering Manfred has said he wants a pair of expansion cities -- one West Coast-based, one East Coast -- decided upon by his planned retirement in January 2029, the deadline for candidates has accelerated. It's reasonable to think that by this time next year, an expansion committee could be in place, preparing to consider the viability of bids from cities across the country and beyond before offering recommendations to the wider ownership group.

The shrinking clock, sources said, is putting pressure on cities to solidify their bids in the most pertinent areas. Though population and media-market size are significant factors, so are three elements of any bid that aims to gain traction: a strong ownership group, locked-in stadium funding and a site to build the stadium.

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Salt Lake City

Lead group: Big League Utah

Combined statistical area (as of 2020 Census): 2,705,693
Media market: 28th
Owner: Yes. The Larry H. Miller Company.
Stadium funding: Yes. A $3.5 billion pledge from ownership for a 100-acre multiuse development and $900 million in state funding intended to cover half the cost of a stadium.
Stadium site: Yes. The Power District, a massive site on Salt Lake City's west side that's already under construction.

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Nashville, Tennessee

Lead group: Music City Baseball
Combined statistical area: 2,250,282
Media market: 25th
Owner: No.
Stadium funding: No.
Stadium site: No.

The details: Long considered a distinct favorite to land the Eastern expansion franchise, time was on Nashville's side to build infrastructure that matched Music City Baseball's well-constructed Nashville Stars brand. But with the formation of an expansion committee likely to come after the new CBA, the more boxes a city has checked, the more attractive its bid. Nashville still has plenty of the things baseball wants: cultural relevance, popularity within the game, a city that feels bigger than its demographics.

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Raleigh, North Carolina

Lead group: MLB Raleigh
Combined statistical area: 2,242,324
Media market: 22nd
Owner: Yes. Carolina Hurricanes and Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon has pledged support to bringing baseball to Raleigh.
Stadium funding: No. Though the North Carolina state house declined to provide $500 million for a stadium, multiple politicians left open the idea of revisiting such an earmark.
Stadium site: No, though if Dundon pushes ahead with a bid, he has development rights for 80 acres around the Lenovo Center, the Hurricanes' arena.

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Portland, Oregon

Lead group: Portland Diamond Project
Combined statistical area: 3,280,736
Media market: 23rd
Owner: No.
Stadium funding: Yes. In June 2025, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill that earmarks up to $800 million for a baseball stadium in Portland.
Stadium site: Yes. The Portland Diamond Project signed a letter of intent to buy Zidell Yards, a 33-acre site on the banks of the Willamette River.

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Orlando, Florida

Lead group: The Orlando Dreamers
Combined statistical area: 4,197,095
Media market: 15th
Owner: No. Orlando at one point had Rick Workman as an anchor investor, but he left the group to join the Tampa Bay Rays' new ownership consortium.
Stadium funding: No. The Orange County Tourist Development Tax Citizen Advisory Task Force denied the Dreamers' request for $975 million to help build a stadium.
Stadium site: Proposed. Located near SeaWorld, southwest of Orlando, the 35.5-acre plot would house a futuristic-looking facility designed by renowned stadium architect Populous.

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